Scarlet News:

SWOP NT and Scarlet Alliance: Sex Workers Congratulate NT Government for Bill to Decriminalise Sex Work

Sep 17, 2019 | Media release, News

The Sex Worker Outreach Program (SWOP NT), the Sex Worker Reference Group (SWRG) and Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association congratulate the Northern Territory Labor Government for engaging with sex workers, our organisations and national association in presenting a Bill that will fully decriminalise sex work. The Bill will ensure industrial protections and rights are afforded to sex workers as they are to all Territorians.

"All Territorians deserve to be safe at work, including sex workers. Being a sex worker is a recognised profession in the Northern Territory and we applaud the Government for recognising every Territorian’s workplace rights." states Scarlet Alliance CEO Jules Kim.

SWOP NT Coordinator Leanne Melling adds, "Sex workers also wish to thank stakeholders in the Northern Territory that have supported reforms and active engagement of sex workers as leaders for these reforms. We acknowledge the support of health and justice government and non-government departments and organisations and affiliates of Unions NT, the United Voice and the Australian Services Union. We thank Labor Women and the Labor Party for their support of motions to decriminalise sex work."

The Sex Industry Bill 2019 will be introduced at 10am Wednesday, 18th September in Parliament, with all Labor government politicians wearing a hand painted pin of a red umbrella, that has been painted by a sex worker to show appreciation to the Government for prioritising the safety and human rights of sex workers.

The full decriminalisation of sex work is recognised globally as essential to workplace health, safety and rights for sex workers. This is a necessary standard that has been set internationally and through Australia’s STI and BBV strategies nationally.

The Bill in its current form proposes the full decriminalisation of sex work, with no sex workers left behind.

For Comment:

Leanne Melling,SWOP NT CoordinatorMobile: 0447022332

Jules Kim,Scarlet Alliance CEOMobile: 0411985135