Sex workers and prostitutes could soon be sued for damages by dissatisfied clients under radical new laws. The Northern Territory state government passed new laws fully decrimialising sex work on Tuesday, becoming the third jurisdiction in the world to do so. The landmark Sex Industry Bill allows the industry to operate within existing laws applicable to other fields.
Liberal Opposition and independent MPs have called for more changes, amid fears the new laws allow for brothels to be established in 'virtually every suburb'. Lawyers and women's groups are also concerned the laws will set a possible precedent for unhappy customers to sue for poor performance. Feminist Legal Clinic principal solicitor Anna Kerr described the proposal as 'abhorrent'. The Australian arm of the Women's Human Rights Campaign welcomed the abolishment of criminal penalties for selling but fears it potentially creates 'unfair opportunities' for clients to sue.
The new bill allows sex workers to withdraw consent without being liable for breach of contract but clients who pay upfront must be reimbursed under contract law. Independent MP Gerry Wood fears the new laws will allow prostitution as an everyday job and … allowing mini-brothels to start up under the guise of home occupation'. The changes passed on Tuesday allow the sex industry to operate within all existing laws that apply to other businesses including employment, occupational health and safety, workers compensation, taxation and discrimination.
She later posted on Facebook: 'All Territorians deserve to be safe at work. Today we acknowledge that sex workers deserve the same rights as other workers and deliver a safer and more sustainable framework for sex workers, their industry and the broader community.
The historic legislation comes weeks after a bill was defeated in the South Australia parliament. Prostitution is not regulated Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, despite widespread debate and proposed legislative reforms.
