https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100231

The Miles Labor Government has passed laws to decriminalise the sex work industry.

The legislation will improve the rights and personal safety of sex workers.

Existing criminal offences relating to sex workers will be repealed.

The laws were formed following an independent review into the decriminalisation of the sex work industry.

The health, safety and workplace rights of Queensland’s sex workers will be vastly improved, thanks to new laws passed today.

Under the legislation, the sex work industry will be decriminalised and criminal offences applying specifically to sex workers will be repealed.

The Criminal Code (Decriminalising Sex Work) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 will also protect sex workers from unfair discrimination, create new offences to protect children from involvement in sex work, and specifically prohibit a person being coerced to perform sex work.

The Bill implements the findings of the Queensland Law Reform Commission (QLRC), which was commissioned to review the decriminalisation of the sex work industry.

The QLRC review incorporated evidence-based research and feedback from consultation with the public and key stakeholder groups.

It examined the experiences of jurisdictions where sex work is already decriminalised, including New South Wales, Northern Territory, Victoria and New Zealand.

The reforms also reflect feedback from the sex work industry, particularly in relation to current laws criminalising strategies that keep workers safe.