Page 5331 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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However, what is proposed so cogently in paragraph one .is
almost contradicted in paragraph four with a number of
confused and incorrect arguments.
The third paragraph on that same page assumes there are no
victims, but in the first paragraph it has been clearly
stated that the prostitute is very much a victim. So too
can be her customers .
11. "In fact, most people, whatever their views on
prostitution specifically, do not support the enforcement
of moral values by criminal penalties" (1st sentence page
8)
Again, it can be asked which moral values are being
referred to.
12. "The rights ,of all parties should be examined." (2nd
paragraph, page 8)
Certainly the rights of the general public should not be
overlooked. It could be questioned whether prostitutes
should be afforded status in society. Certainly their
. dignity and status as persons should be upheld, but their
status as prostitutes should hardly be promoted.
13. The last paragraph on page 8 examines the juxtaposition of
politics and morality: Surely the two areas are not as
far removed as the paper at times tries to suggest.
Morality .is about what we ought to do ("Conformity to the
rules of right conduct" Macquarie Dictionary). Politics
is about what we should do for the good of society.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The complexity of the questions, before the Select Committee is recognized. The Legislative Assembly is to be commended for its efforts to consult the members of the community inthis delicate area.
It is to be hoped that any future legislation will not, result in prostitution being more widely, and more openly conducted in Canberra. Certainly it would be most undesirable for street prostitution to become part of the life of Canberra.
Finally whatever can be done by way of welfare resources, and counselling should be made available to enable prostitutes to change their way of life if that is what they wish to do.
Patrick P. Power
30 January 1991
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