WA - Prostitution Amendment Bill

A Bill to legalise prostitution is currently being debated in the West Australian Parliament...
The Bill removes any penalty for pimps or brothel owners.

STATUS: Completed - Bill passed by the WA Parliament
Passed Legislative Assembly in Nov 2007.
Passed the Legislative Council by ONE vote in April 2008.
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UPDATE: 3 April 2008 - Prostitution legalised in WA
A dark day for Western Australia on Monday night as prostitution was legalised - by ONE vote. Labor MPs were not given a conscience vote.

The deciding vote was that of Shelley Archer - a former ALP MP turned Independent. Late last year she had decided not to support the prostitution legislation, but changed her mind because she claims that the government promised to fund sex and drug education in the State's North-west. But yesterday the government told The West Australian that they had made NO firm commitments!

The Opposition has forecast an explosion of the sex industry in WA - that would not be surprising as that is exactly what happened in Victoria when prostitution was legalised in Victoria.

Archer vote passes brothel Bill
West Australian, 2 April 2008.

Prostitution laws will lead to brothel boom: Opposition
West Australian,2nd April 2008

The Legislative Assembly passed the Prostitution Amendment Bill 2007 by 29 votes to 22 on 14 November 2007.

Click here for the current status of the Bill.
[Once in that page, click on 'P' then scroll down to 'Prostitution Amendment Bill 2007' and click on name of Bill.]
The actual Bill and the second reading speeches are also posted on the same page.

November 2007 - Next step: Legislative Council
The Bill had its Second reading in the Legislative Council on 15 November 2007.
It will now go to a second reading debate and vote... This was expected to be before the end of 2007.

There is a possibility of sending the Bill to a Committee for a THOROUGH investigation of prostitution - including the ADVERSE effects of prostitution on the community generally and on women in particular.

The numbers are close in the WA Legislative Council.
It might seem that Labor and the Greens have the numbers to pass the Bill. However one former Labor member, Shelley Archer, is now an Independent. Her vote is crucial.

UPDATE: Good news!
December 2007 - The Bill has been 'FROZEN' and put on hold because Shelley Archer, the Independent in the Legislative Council who was a Labor member, has told the government will NOT support the Bill.
Media report: Government freezes legislation following Archer failure
West Australian, 5th December 2007

Opposing the Bill
We oppose the Bill because it legalises prostitution.
When prostitution was legalised in Victoria, there were about 50 illegal brothels.
Now there are...

• • almost 100 legal brothels - some very large
  • 1500 legal 'single workers' operating from HOMES
  • about 400 illegal ones
  • MORE trafficking of overseas girls to work in brothels.
  • Increased street prostitution!

In Sweden the clients have been criminalised rather than legalising prostitution. This has reduced prostitution!
A number of feminists have advocated this line BECAUSE prostitution EXPLOITS WOMEN!
See CATWA for various articles on Sweden and the exploitation of women through prostitution.

ACTION: If you live in Western Australia (or even if you don't!) please contact the Members of the Legislative Council NOW!
Even though the Bill is on hold, it is still important to contact your WA MPs!

Ask them to VOTE AGAINST the Prostitution Amendment Bill.
ALSO ask them to send the Bill to a Legislative Council Committee for a full investigation.

Residents of Western Australia have either five or seven Members in the Council.
Click here for full contact details.
Our website has other information as well as the same link to Member details.