Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Prostitution Bill on the ropes, says Baldock


Prostitution Bill on the ropes, says Baldock

The Prostitution Reform Bill is close to being defeated, United Future MP Larry Baldock said today.

In yesterday's Second Reading, the Bill scraped through by 62 votes to 56 at a conscience vote, after a First Reading vote last year of 87-21.

"The 62 to 56 vote last night was a tremendous result. There are many more Members of this House who see the Bill today for what it would be - bad law," Mr Baldock said.

"We fully expected there would be some MPs who would support the Bill through to the committee stage to see what amendments were proposed, and we are confident that with this vote so close now, that by the Third Reading, the Bill will be defeated.

"The fact is that this Bill has effectively been changed from a decriminalisation bill to a legalisation bill. MPs are now realising that this is not about the rights of individual prostitutes, but the real intention is not only to expand the opportunities for prostitution, but the industry as a whole.

"This has been the case in every other nation that has liberalised its laws.

"Perhaps one of the most graphic statements was Matt Robson's reference to his friend in the Dutch parliament who initially voted for their reform and now publicly admits they made a mistake," Mr Baldock said.

"There is no question if this law is passed, we will soon have similar regrets. "This is the same situation that occurred when the conscience vote was held on the lowering of the drinking age. It had very little to do with the rights of 18 and 19 year olds, but more to do with the opportunity for the breweries to expand their business and this indeed was the result of that legislation.

"One year after the passing of the lowering of the drinking age, the headline said, '13% increase in sales by Lion Breweries'."

"I am totally convinced that the same outcome will follow if the Prostitution Reform Bill is passed. It has happened everywhere else in the world and it is naïve to think it will not happen here," he said.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.