Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is to Minister Dalidakis representing the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. Recently Dr Meagan Tyler, the co-convenor of the Nordic Model Information Network — a global alliance of researchers focusing on sex work — has been touring the country discussing the pros of the so-called ‘Swedish model’. She has called for Victoria to adopt this approach to sex work, which aims to decriminalise sex workers but criminalise the clients of sex workers. This is a ridiculous approach, which in other jurisdictions has led to increased violence against sex workers and further stigmatisation of those workers, who are mainly women. My question to the minister is: did anyone from the government meet with Dr Tyler to discuss these issues?
Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — I thank the minister; I look forward to that. The model has been rejected by sex worker rights groups as well as advocacy groups such as Amnesty International, who note the horrifically negative impacts of driving this industry underground. Will the Labor government reject in no uncertain terms adopting the Nordic model, thus ensuring that those working in the adult industry are not further targeted by those with a paternalistic agenda?
REPLY:
I refer to the adjournment debate on 16 August 2016 in relation to unlicensed sex work service providers operating as massage parlours, and calling for a review of the operation of massage parlours in Victoria.
In 2012, the Sex Work Act 1994 (the Act) was amended by the Sex Work and Other Acts Amendment Act 2011 to clarify that the responsibility for enforcement of the Act’s provisions in relation to illegal sex work lies with Victoria Police. Since then, Consumer Affairs Victoria’s role has been limited to supervision of the licensed sex work sector.
Accordingly, as your question concerns the unlicensed sector, your question should be directed to the Minister for Police.
