The Northern Territory Parliament has tonight passed the Sex Industry Bill 2019, creating a decriminalised model for workers and ensuring workplace health and safety protections.
The Bill enables the sex industry to operate in accordance with existing laws as they apply to all individuals and businesses including, employment, occupational health and safety, workers compensation and rehabilitation, planning, taxation and discrimination.
The legislation decriminalises the sex industry in order to enhance the health and safety of sex workers, making the Territory one of the few jurisdictions in the world to legislate around the wellbeing of industry workers.
Previously in the NT, sex work was regulated through a combination of three models: decriminalisation, licensing and criminalisation, which was inconsistent and ineffective.
The new legislation will undergo a review in five years, with representation of wide cross-section of the community to ensure its effectiveness.
As stated by Attorney-General, Natasha Fyles:
“All Territorians deserve to be safe at work. Being a sex worker is a recognised profession in the NT, but until today workers have had no protection and minimal rights.
“That’s why the Territory Labor Government has delivered a safer and more sustainable framework for sex workers, their industry and the broader community.
“I acknowledge this Bill and subsequent debate has been contentious for some, but the ultimate goal is better health and safety outcomes for sex workers. Outcomes we expect for all in any line of employment.”
