Alarm over easing of sex worker laws Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will write to state MPs expressing “grave concerns” that the state government’s decriminalisation of sex work has not been “thought through carefully”. The Sex Work Decriminalisation Act 2022 adopted February decriminalised sex work and made consensual sex work legal in most locations across the state. The Act is being implemented in two stages, with stage one starting in May and setting out some details about the decriminalising of streetbased sex work. Stage two will come into force in December 2023 and will include changing planning controls to treat sex service businesses like other businesses. The mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said council agreed with the intent of the move to decriminalise sex work and “the improved health and safety of workers and reduced stigma”. “However, consideration needs to be given to the impact of the legislation on people in residential areas, as is done for other at-home businesses in residential areas. Council will be writing to the state government seeking clarification and guidance on the implementation of this important matter.” At a 12 July council meeting, Cr David Gill moved a motion confirming that the council “agrees” with the intent of state legislation to decriminalise sex work but expresses concerns that the amenity of people in residential areas is “properly regarded”. Gill said there was the possibility that the leg-
islation would unnecessarily cause “fear” in the community if not properly implemented. He said the lack of detail of the legislation and of “precautionary measures” could cause some organisations such as churches and schools to believe they will be adversely affected. Councillors voted to advocate to lobby the government to make sure the implementation of the legislation ensures the “amenity and social impact on people in residential areas is properly regarded to at least the same level of consideration given about other businesses in residential areas”. Gill said he wanted the legislation to work but cautioned that “it may not work the way it’s framed at the moment”. “People have expectations of what will happen,” he said. Gill said there had to be “more acceptance” in the community, and there should be built-in protections to allay “fear” in the community. The new legislation recognise that sex work is “legitimate work” and is better regulated through standard business laws, like all other industries. It aims to maximise sex workers' safety, health and human rights, while also reducing stigma and fear of criminal repercussions. Cr Sarah Race said she supported the decriminalisation of sex work as it meant workers in the industry “are safe and can legitimately practice their craft”. Councillors will be presented with a draft “advocacy letter” for the state ministers at a council briefing on 2 August, after which council will write to local state politicians and relevant ministers expressing its views on the implementation of the legislation and ask for replies.
Housing crisis
Continued from Page 1 “The shire doesn’t have many levers to address homelessness and housing affordability, but that’s one they have,” he said. Smith said the community service had just experienced its busiest three months on record and an increase in demand for homelessness services of more than 25 per cent this year. One recent example of the difficulties of the housing market involved a mother and her children who rented a house in Mount Martha but were told the new owners of the house had decided to increase the rent by $150 a week. “So, she’s up against others looking for somewhere cheaper in a tough market and will have to move the kids to different schools, that’s the story we are hearing every day,” Smith said. Despite the growing housing crisis the state government was “incentivising profit making” instead of encouraging the building of affordable accommodation. President of Peninsula Voice Peter Orton said that when bad things happen in communities, “we are all damaged”. “As it is, we don’t understand homelessness and we don’t know how to respond,” he said. “Peninsula Voice tries to look at problems ‘upstream’, in other words dealing with the problems that cause the homelessness. Orton said the homelessness forum would hear from people experiencing homelessness, battling with housing affordability, and experts in the field who are helping and advocating for those in these circumstances. While demand was soaring, the number of affordable and appropriate homes in Victoria available for rent halved in the past 12 months. The free forum will be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 24 August at the Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington. For more information about Peninsula Voice and to register, go to www.peninsulavoice.org.au On Saturday (6 August) Fusion’s Sleep In Your Car event starts at 5.30pm at Mornington Park. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/sleepinyourcar
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Our Lady students at Laarni YEAR two Primary School Day. of Fatima during Harmony and Guyan Picture: Supplied
YEAR two students at Our Lady of Fatima Primary School Laarni and Guyan during Harmony Day. Picture: Supplied
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from schools in participated STUDENTS Peninsula Mornington at the end of March, Harmony Day in a range of activiof diversity getting involved to the theme ties linked parents and and inclusiveness. 25 March, On Friday Lady of Fatima PriOur held a crazy friends of in Rosebud of mary School where the rainbow run, of colour fun to the celebration colours added be used diversity. raised will The money for the school’s to buy resources which promotes a club, environment lunchtime and inclusive welcoming on the yard. children all for
Harmony in colour STUDENTS from schools around the Mornington Peninsula participated in Harmony Day at the end of March, getting involved in a range of activities linked to the theme of diversity and inclusiveness. On Friday 25 March, parents and friends of Our Lady of Fatima Primary School in Rosebud held a crazy colour fun run, where the rainbow of colours added to the celebration of diversity. The money raised will be used to buy resources for the school’s lunchtime club, which promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children on the yard.
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for such a sensitive part of the bay.” The push for an artificial reef has largely been led by the government body the Victorian Fisheries Association, and the Futurefish Foundation, which describes itself online as “a fearless watchdog” representing recreational fishers, with an aim to “protect and enhance” recreational fishing throughout Victoria. One of its mandates is to increase the number of artificial reefs in all parts of Port Phillip. Continued Page 12
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