On Wednesday, Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman announced plans to overhaul laws governing the sex industry in the state, with the aim of bringing it “out of the dark” and providing a regulatory framework to ensure the safety of sex workers. Fentiman’s announcement followed the receipt of a report on decriminalization from the independent Queensland Law Reform Commission, which contained 47 recommendations. While the government is still working through the report, Fentiman has broadly supported decriminalization and pledged to make changes.
Sex work is currently stigmatized in Queensland, with most of it taking place outside of the regulated or licensed sector. Advocates warn that the current laws criminalize safety strategies, such as working in pairs or checking in with colleagues, which leaves the vast majority of sex workers in the state vulnerable to exploitation and violence. The situation is made worse by the risk of police entrapment, raids, charges, and fines for basic safety strategies.
The proposed changes have been welcomed by advocacy groups, including DecrimQLD, Respect Inc, and Scarlet Alliance, who view decriminalization as a “life-changing policy shift” for Queensland’s sex workers. Respect Inc Queensland coordinator Lulu Holiday highlighted the need to remove the stigma around sex work, stating that “sex work is work, and laws that criminalize sex work workplaces and our safety strategies diminish our ability to work safely or legally.”
Decriminalization of sex work is not new in Australia, with Victoria having decriminalized sex work in 2022, after New South Wales in 1995 and the Northern Territory in 2019. Advocates for the policy shift believe that decriminalization will bring Queensland in line with domestic and international best practices.
In conclusion, Fentiman’s announcement signals a significant shift in policy towards sex work in Queensland. The proposed changes aim to provide a regulatory framework to ensure the safety of sex workers and remove the stigma surrounding the industry. The move has been welcomed by advocacy groups, who view it as a life-changing policy shift for sex workers in the state. While the government is still working through the report from the Queensland Law Reform Commission, the proposed changes could bring Queensland into line with domestic and international best practices.