I am a researcher and author on the sex industry. I was involved in the victimless crime debate that led to the decriminalisation of sex work in 1979, and in 1994 I was involved in advocacy to decriminalise brothel owners and their non sex-worker auxillary staff.

At conferences overseas I have held NSW up as a model for prostitution law reform that removed the criminal element, pimps and police corruption from the sex industry. Now, not only I but also home-based sex workers are appalled by the Government backslide to recreating illegal sex work. My neighbour, who makes dolls at home for sale, is not different to sex workers at home. Both use a part of their body to make an income, avoiding the need for unempoyment benefits.

Shame on you, Frank Sartor, and on your Government if you put potential votes above common sense.

Roberta Perkins, Harbord