23 March 2006

Another bad brothel bylaw bites the dust

Christchurch City Council's decision to abandon a case before the Court of Appeal regarding a restrictive bylaw limiting the legal location of brothels is the right one, According to Green Party Social Development Spokesperson Sue Bradford.

The decision not to appeal follows a High Court ruling quashing a similarly restrictive bylaw in Auckland last week. The bylaws sought to severely restrict the legal locations of brothels, making it virtually impossible for prostitutes to run small, single-owner/operator brothels.

This is important because the ability of sex workers to separate themselves from exploitative brothel owners was an important aspect of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003.

"I am very pleased that the Christchurch City Council has seen sense on this matter and decided not to pursue any further legal action," Ms Bradford says.

"As I said last week after the High Court decision on the Auckland bylaw, it was never Parliament's intention that local bodies would be able to make such restrictive rules as to make it impossible to operate small private brothels.

"I am glad Christchurch City council will not waste any more resources on a futile legal battle, and hope instead that this decision, and the High Court ruling in Auckland, will lead to the develop of more sensible and safe rules around the operation of brothels," Ms Bradford says.

ENDS

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