Legalising brothels on agenda

BROTHELS would be decriminalised and some illicit drugs legalised under a raft of proposals unveiled in Tasmanian Labor’s State Conference agenda.

SPIRITED DEBATE: Tasmanian Labor leader Bryan Green. Picture: Richard Jupe

BROTHELS would be decriminalised and some illicit drugs legalised under a raft of proposals unveiled in Tasmanian Labor’s State Conference agenda.

The issues will be discussed at Tasmanian Labor’s State Conference to be held at Queenstown next month.

Tasmanian Young Labor wants the party to adopt a policy that would “recognise that criminalising brothels only ensures the existence of brothels where workers are not guaranteed workplace safety, do not have protected conditions, are not protected by fair work laws, can be denied legal justice and are unable to unionise or collectively bargain”.

Another branch of the party argues current laws are ineffective in dealing with drug dependency and abuse.

Party faithful will be asked to vote on a motion that supports genuine diversionary programs for drug offenders, public access to drug testingfacilities; decriminalisationof use and small volume possession of illicit drugs, and the legalisation and regulation of cannabis.

Labor’s acting State Secretary Karelle Logan said all motions and rule changes in the agenda were “proposed” and put forward by rank and file members through branches, policy action caucuses, members of Parliament or affiliates.

Tasmanian Labor leader Bryan Green said conferences were always robust, spirited affairs.

“As usual, there’s a wide range of motions and the Parliamentary Labor Party will listen carefully to the views and priorities of rank and file members,” he said.

Originally published as Legalising brothels on agenda