Players in Tasmanian Sex Industry Reform - 2005
Tasmania is a small island state with a population less than half a million people.
Since the introduction of the laws there has been no education process which enables the sex industry to understand (or even be aware of) the new laws.
The process for the development of sex industry laws was problematic -
Scarlet Alliance, Tasmanian sex workers and brothel owners briefed members of the upper house early in the week of the vote. Before the briefing the upper house members discussed the new Bill for hours. What was missing from their discussion was any interest in the well being of sex workers or any concerns that sex workers may have. What was represented in their discussion was that they had bought the stereotypes - Clients are the bad guys only second to the thugs who run brothels and that sex workers are unfortunate damaged mindless individuals who are exploited.
See below for the friends and foes of Tasmanian Sex Workers
Judy Jackson All I can say is that it's illegal, that people who run these places are now on notice that they are illegal and they will be closed down and they will be severely punished. The penalties in this legislation are quite severe and so it'll be on their head if they continue this illegal practice. Read the full story
Sheila Jeffreys, "(Tasmania) can actually be on the side of progress and get involved in closing down this form of men's abusive behaviour." You briefed the Legislative Council yesterday. What sort of a reception did you get? "I got a very good reception actually. I think everybody is really concerned. I think a lot of people don't understand what's actually happening in the brothels. They don't know what's going on because it's often held out to be a perfectly fine industry, a job like any other." Read the full story.
Scarlet Alliance, the Australian Sex Worker Association
Scarlet Alliance originally wrote a submission to the Attorney General, Judy Jackson on early proposed changes to the Tasmanian Sex Industry Regulation Bill 2004 Download PDF version As well as arguing for the recognition of industrial and workplace rights for sex workers, the submission also asks that the Tasmanian Government move toward funding services to sex workers in Tasmania. Tasmania is the only Australian state or territory without a funded sex worker organisation and as such no dedicated HIV/AIDS or STI education to workers in sex industry. Now that the entire industry is going to be effectively criminalised, the need for a dedicated sex worker organisation is even greater.
Tasmanian AIDS and Hepatitis Council
The proposed blanket banning of brothels will reduce our capacity to effectively work with sex workers and punters in relation to safe sex and injecting drug use. This latest backflip reeks of moral judgements which can only lead to increased risks for sex workers. All it will do is force brothels further underground, making everyone's job a lot harder. Link to the full media release
Tasmanian Greens and MLA Nick McKim
Attorney-General Judy Jackson's about face on Tasmania's sex industry could be worse than previously thought with increased powers apparently given to police in relation to listening devices and compelling witnesses to give evidence. Police were already given too many powers in the original Bill, and by the sounds of it the amendments will only make matters worse. Link to full Nick McKim Media Release
Updated 20th October 2005