Sex workers would be free to work the streets if third attempt at legalising prostitution passes

SEX workers would be able to work the streets and not be forced to practise safe sex if a new push to decriminalise prostitution was approved.

SEX workers would be able to work the streets and not be forced to practise safe sex if a new push to decriminalise prostitution was approved.

Councils would also have the power to decide how close brothels could be to places such as schools and churches.

Labor MP Steph Key is drafting her third attempt at decriminalising sex work in South Australia and will present legislation to Parliament later this year.

She said the new Bill would decriminalise all forms of sex work, including at home, in brothels, through escort services and soliciting and street work.

A Bill by Ms Key in 2012, which was defeated by one vote, kept street work as an offence.

That original Bill also included safe sex provisions, requiring sex workers to use condoms, which will not be in the new legislation.

Both of those measures were reversed in a second Bill Ms Key put to Parliament last year but that version never made it to a vote.

Ms Key said she believed there were only about 20 street sex workers in Adelaide, out of about 1000 prostitutes around the state.

She argued decriminalising all forms of sex work would encourage street workers to find safer and more sustainable ways of working and may also free up police resources.

“I can understand why people don’t like people operating from the street, the public nuisance issue ... I can understand being concerned,” Ms Key said.

“But you can’t only decriminalise part of the industry.

“If sex work was decriminalised they could probably find alternative ways of providing that service and they may not have to hang around on street corners looking for work.”

Sex workers argue those on the streets are the most vulnerable.

SA Police figures show at least 78 people have been apprehended for street-based prostitution offences in SA since July 2011, the vast majority of which were in the western suburbs.

MPs will be allowed a conscience vote on the new Bill.

Opposition status of women spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said she understood the current laws were often difficult to police.

She believed decriminalisation could offer more protection for sex workers who may be assaulted by clients.

“I don’t see why the law should discern between various forms of sex work (such as street work),” Ms Lensink said.

Ms Key’s new Bill was expected to:

NOT include prescribed areas where brothels would be banned, or minimum distances from certain buildings such as schools or churches.

REQUIRE brothel owners to register their businesses with the Consumer and Business Services agency.

MAKE sex workers eligible for workers’ compensation entitlements.

RETAIN laws that make sex work by a person aged under 18 — or with a client under that age — illegal.

WIPE clean past sex work convictions.

MAKE it illegal to discriminate against a person who is, or has been, a sex worker.