STATUTES AMENDMENT (SEX WORK REFORM) BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 14 November 2012.)

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (22:55): I move:

That this order of the day be discharged.

I stand to discharge this motion, but I just wanted to say a few brief things before I do. This bill will be withdrawn. I think it is most unfortunate, but I want to place on record my appreciation of all those who have been involved in having this bill developed and getting it this far. A number of people have been involved, most notably the Sex Industry Network, the Scarlet Alliance, various women's groups and of course, most significantly, the Hon. Steph Key and her staff, and also my staff.

It was always clear that this was going to be a very difficult issue to tackle, a very difficult bill to get through, given that the topic elicits a wide range of very passionate reactions. Nevertheless, I am absolutely certain that our current legislation around sex work is not going to be supported. It was defeated in the other place and I do not believe it has support from this council either. In spite of that, I and others remain extremely committed to decriminalising sex work.

Change in this area is long overdue. We are doing a great disservice to sex workers by allowing them to go on being criminalised and therefore not protecting their rights at work. This is most unfair and unjust and puts people potentially at risk of harm. We are also wasting the resources of SAPOL, who are responsible for upholding our current inadequate laws. I look forward to working with those members in this place and the other place who support decriminalisation, with the goal of arriving at a model that the majority of members can support.

Motion carried; bill withdrawn.