Sex work decriminalisation Bill: Debate moves to Lower House

A Bill to decriminalise sex work passed SA’s Upper House this week, and now it’s set to be debated in the Lower House before State Parliament’s winter break.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman with Greens MP Tammy Franks and Labor's Katrine Hildyard at Parliament House.

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Debate on decriminalising sex work will begin in the Lower House by August, with MPs hopeful it will come to a vote by the end of the year.

Attorney-General Vickie Chapman told the Sunday Mail she would move Greens MP Tammy Franks’ Bill in the Lower House before State Parliament’s winter break, which begins on August 2.

The Bill passed the Upper House for the second time in two years on Thursday, 13 votes to six.

Ms Chapman, pictured, hailed the passing as a “historic and significant win for the decriminalisation of sex work in South Australia”.

“This model has had a five-year journey, with a select committee and two different parliaments,” she said.

Ms Franks’ Bill mirrored Liberal MP Michelle Lensink’s motion passed by the Upper House in 2017, but was amended during debate.

Those amendments allow police officers to enter brothels if they suspect a crime is being committed, ensure assistance is provided to sex workers who want to leave the industry and ban advertising of commercial sexual services.

Southern suburbs Liberal MP Sam Duluk said he had “serious concerns” about the legislation in its current form and was disappointed that another amendment – which would have banned street sex work – had failed to pass the Upper House. “I know that many members of my community have concerns about street sex work,” he said.

Ms Franks saidshe was hopeful the support of Ms Chapman and Labor’s Katrine Hildyard meant the Bill could pass by the end of the year.

SIN (Sex Industry Network) general manager Kat Morrison said South Australian sex workers were “optimistic and hopeful” that sex work would be removed from the criminal code.

“Sex work is skilled labour and sex workers deserve the same rights and recognition as any other SA worker,” she said.