|
|
The Brothels Task Force was established by the NSW Attorney General and the
Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning in January 2000. The Task Force was
commissioned to monitor the regulation of brothels by local councils and to
assess the success of occupational health and safety programs for sex workers,
their clients and the public.
The Disorderly Houses Amendment Act, 1995 abolished the common law offence of
keeping a brothel, making brothels a legitimate commercial land use regulated
through environmental planning instruments under the Environmental Planning
and Assessment Act, 1979. Councils were also given the power to take action in
the Land and Environment Court to close a disorderly brothel in response to
complaints from nearby residents or occupiers.
The Task Force was asked to review the success of the legislative changes after
five years of operation and assess the need for further reforms. The specific
Terms of Reference of the Task Force were:
1) Application of planning controls to brothels
a) identify the way in which councils have undertaken the role assigned
to them by the Disorderly Houses Amendment Act 1995
b) assess whether the objectives of the Act are being achieved through
the arrangements adopted by councils
c) make recommendations for action by Government and/or councils to
address deficiencies.
2) Evidentiary requirements
a) assess the evidentiary requirements of the Land and Environment
Court on councils regarding the prosecution and closure of brothels
b) recommend action by Government to address deficiencies.
3) Occupational Health and Safety issues
assess the success of programs provided by the NSW Health and
WorkCover for sex workers, their clients and the public.
The Task Force comprised representatives from The Cabinet Office, Attorney
General’s Department, Department of Local Government, Department of Urban
Affairs and Planning, Ministry for Police, WorkCover NSW, NSW Health, Police
Service, and the Local Government and Shires Associations.
File details
File type
application/pdf
|
Log in