QLRC review into sex work calls for sweeping changes across advertising, police, licensing and more

Sex work services could be advertised on television and radio, police powers would be purged and the prostitution licensing authority abolished under a push to decriminalise the world’s oldest profession in Queensland. Here’s how it might look.

Sex work services could be advertised on television and radio, police powers purged and the prostitution licensing authority abolished under a major blueprint to decriminalise the world’s oldest profession in Queensland.

A long-awaited Queensland Law Reform Commission report has recommended 47 sweeping changes to decriminalise sex work, with industry-specific restrictions on advertising, licensing, and where businesses can be located to be removed.

The state government confirmed it was “broadly supportive” of the recommendations, with an implementation committee to be put in place to hash out the intricacies of repealing, tweaking, or adding to at least ten different pieces of law.

Decrim Queensland campaign leader and sex worker Janelle Fawkes said the work moving forward would be critical, and it was important “no sex workers are left behind” and the benefits of decriminalisation reach and were available to all in the industry.

This includes strippers, with advocates pointing to the need for two decade old regulations to be reviewed in order to provide those in the industry with modern workplace health and safety protections.

State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman confirmed the Office of Liquor and Gaming would look into whether further reforms were needed in the adult entertainment space.

Thank you to the QLRC for their comprehensive work preparing recommendations for a decriminalised framework. You can read a copy of the report here https://t.co/huZovO81QQ

— Shannon Fentiman (@ShannonFentiman) April 24, 2023

The QLRC, in its report, argued the state’s laws needed to respond “to reality, not myths” and that the current regime makes workers less safe.

It noted the “assumption” decriminalising sex work would “increase the size of the industry” was unsupported.

Under the recommended changes, covert powers which allow police to pose as clients to gather evidence of sex work specific crimes will be made redundant and removed, with the offences to also be taken out of law.

Queensland Attorney-General The Hon Shannon Fentiman says the sex work in the state needs to be properly regulated. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

This includes specific offences on soliciting sex work on the street, with the QLRC pointing out several options were still available to address any public amenity impacts of street-based sex work which include general laws around touting in public places. But newly defined criminal offences would ensure there are serious penalties for those who coerce individuals or involve children in commercial sexual services.

The Prostitution Licensing Authority, which regulates the state’s 20 brothels, would be abolished.

Ms Fentiman said it was “common sense” to put in place a moratorium on brothels being made to fork out exorbitant licensing fees while awaiting the full abolishment of the PLA.

The QLRC has recommended no licensing or certification scheme be imposed on sex workers and the industry.

The committee also asserted local governments shouldn’t be allowed to create its own laws to single-out sex work businesses, with the state to bring in planning changes and regulation.

Legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of the year.