MEDIA RELEASE

13 November 2012

Auckland Mega-Brothel Hearings Labeled A ‘Sham’

Family First NZ says that hearings on whether a mega-brothel should be located in the heart of Auckland city opposite a major tourist attraction are a sham because the Council has already effectively made up its mind, and that families and children and tourists will be put at risk.

“It is quite evident from making Family First NZ’s submission at the hearing today that the committee is only concerned about minor issues such as traffic flow, carparks and video screens – yet this ignores the overwhelming number of submissions questioning the location and the effect of the brothel on the character of the central city area,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The council report which favours the development is fundamentally flawed because it ignores the provisions of the Resource Management Act, the Prostitution Reform Act and the council’s own District Plan which requires it to give due consideration to the location of the mega-brothel and to consider issues such as ‘adverse effects’, activities ‘likely to cause a nuisance or serious offence to ordinary members of the public using the area’, and ‘compatability with the existing character’ of the area.”

“The proposed mega-brothel is not just a stand-alone brothel in a ‘red light’ area. It is part of a building which will be used by children and families because of its restaurants, accommodation and entertainment areas which could hold wedding receptions, conferences, kids’ activities etc,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“It is also located close to residential apartments, hotels, backpacker accommodation, churches, the Auckland City Mission, family restaurants, and opposite the main entrance to a major tourist attraction.”

“The decriminalisation of prostitution did not mean that the activities should be normalised and exposed to families and tourists. It is also timely that the Prime Minister John Key has agreed that the legalisation of prostitution has failed to safeguard sex workers and bring a halt to underage prostitution.”

“It appears that the Auckland Council has already given the green light to the big bold ‘red light’ in the heart of the city where there are tourists and families and children. This is completely unacceptable,’ says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

© Scoop Media