NZ First Mps Oppose Prostitution Bill

Barbara Stewart and Dail Jones New Zealand First MPs voted against the proposal to legalise prostitution in Parliament on Wednesday night. They were the only members of Parliament who stood in the North Shore area to oppose the legislation. It was supported by Wayne Mapp and Murray McCully (National), Ann Hartley and Helen Duncan (Labour) and Deborah Coddington (Act).

The bill would permit the establishment of brothels in various parts of North Shore City

The evidence presented by, for example, Matt Robson of the Progressive Party indicated that the Dutch Parliament voted for such legislation recently and they are now regretting the move because of the involvement of gangs and the sale of drugs associated with the industry resulting from the passing of the Bill.

Barbara Stewart and Dail Jones said: “If such work is made legal then clearly a male or female who is unemployed and is seeking an unemployment benefit would be asked to consider working in a brothel if there was work available before being considered for an unemployment benefit.”

“What would happen in the event of a prostitution worker becoming pregnant?” Would they be entitled to ACC? This is an issue, which has not been considered at all by Parliament.

Mrs Stewart and Mr Jones said they would not support the encouragement of the degradation of males and females implicit in the legislation.

They will continue to vote against the Bill in its committee stages.

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