General News
28 August, 2021
Review into sex work industry
The Queensland government has moved to decriminalise sex work industry to improve health, safety, human rights and legal protections for workers.
The Queensland government has moved to decriminalise sex work industry to improve health, safety, human rights and legal protections for workers.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman today announced she had asked the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC) to review and investigate the issue of regulating a decriminalised sex work industry in Queensland and released the Terms of Reference for its review.
The Queensland community will have an opportunity to engage with the QLRC on this issue. The QLRC is an independent statutory body that undertakes law reform reviews and provides recommendations, including the drafting of legislation.
There are two legal forms of regulated sex work in Queensland, which include: work provided in a licensed brothel, not including outcalls from the premises; and sole operators, working alone from a premise, providing in-house or outcall services.
Any other form of sex work is illegal in Queensland. This includes escort agencies, unlicensed brothels, massage parlours, street workers (publicly soliciting) and two or more sex workers providing prostitution from a single premises.
“This is an important step forward allowing us to consider what reform will benefit the industry and the agencies that provide support and regulation.
“We need to ensure appropriate and modern laws are in place for the industry and its associated safe working arrangements, and that these are also in the best interests of the community,” Ms Fentiman said.
Further information about the QLRC and its review can be found at: https://www.qlrc.qld.gov.au/current-reviews
