The Bill

Last year, after successfully passing the Legislative Council with broad cross-party support, a comprehensive bill to decriminalise sex work in South Australia was defeated at the Second Reading in the House of Assembly. Despite members acknowledging the “desperate need for sex work law reform in SA”, many declined the opportunity to debate this internationally supported legislation.

In February this year, Tammy Franks MLC introduced the Repeal of Sex Work Offences bill. The purpose of this bill is to remove the criminal provision for “prostitution”, “soliciting” and keeping a “bawdy houses”. These offences, which remain in the Summary Offences Act and Criminal Consolidation Act, are archaic and must be modernised to protect the rights of sex workers in South Australia.