Western Australia (WA) Attorney-General and Health Minister, Jim McGinty, said a group would take a closer look at the specific elements of current prostitution laws in other Australian states and New Zealand as part of a move towards decriminalization.
Prostitution in WA is not currently illegal, but the issue is more complicated as activities directly related to prostitution are, including keeping or managing a brothel and living off the earnings of prostitution.
McGinty told News.com.au that the laws were ambiguous and did not provide a clear framework for police. “Brothels in WA have been operating without any proper checks and balances for too long now, so it is time we looked at laws to properly deal with the sex industry.
“We want to look at the possibility of decriminalizing brothels while ensuring the practice of streetwalking remains illegal.”
Perth madam Mary-Anne Kenworthy told the new site that she was “rather amused” by McGinty's announcement. She said the state's sex trade laws had been reviewed several times, and no changes had ever resulted.
The report went on to say that area police welcomed the announcement, saying the current prostitution laws were “unclear and inadequate.”
The working group will now consult with representatives from the sex industry, local government and public health groups and report back to the Attorney-General by the end of the year.
A prostitution Bill failed to get majority support in the Upper House in 2003.
