Media Statement For immediate release Monday, 23 June, 2003

Baldock: Barnett can't have it both ways

United Future MP Larry Baldock today said that Labour's Tim Barnett is contradicting himself more and more as he promotes his Prostitution Reform Bill.

"Early on, Tim was hailing the support of the Salvation Army and Catholic Women's League as evidence that his bill was good and had support from church people.

"Now that they have had a closer look and reversed their support, and are now supported by 32 Catholic and Anglican bishops and other church leaders in opposing the bill, Barnett attacks them as being ill-informed.

"He can't have it both ways.

"Unfortunately, it is Tim Barnett himself who is ill-informed and that is because the only evidence he seems prepared to accept is that which supports his views. It will be an absolute tragedy if a crucial piece of legislation is passed with that kind of blinkered thinking.

"As an opponent of the bill, I have consistently raised concerns about the 'evidence' on the liberalising of prostitution in places such as the Netherlands, New South Wales and Victoria.

"Under what other circumstances would you promote such legislation without a thorough study of the affects of similar law changes overseas?" he asked.

Barnett continues to push his head further in to the sand as those opposed to this bill intelligently raise point after point refuting his claims, Mr Baldock said.

Ends.

© Scoop Media