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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (6 May) . . Page.. 977 ..

and wanted to know what benefits we saw in such an arrangement. Obviously, he was interested in seeing whether such arrangements would be taken up in the Northern Territory. I am not sure what sort of regime operates there at the moment. I explained to him that this scheme appears to be working very well. It appears to have driven much of the vice associated with the industry in other places out of contention in the Territory, and appears to be complied with by all parties. I look forward to seeing what might transpire in the Northern Territory as a result.

I note Mr Moore's comments about the sex industry consultative group. I think the group is working well. It has produced a couple of reports to assist in issues such as education of workers in sex employment about their obligations, how to access services and so on, and issues to do with enforcement. Recently the Government appointed a new member of the group to represent brothel owners. That was because the previous appointee did not continue with the appointment that was made.

I suppose the only slightly negative comment I would have to make is that I think the brothel owners need to be sure that they retain their commitment to this scheme. There is, I think, some sense that the brothel owners believe that the issues on legalisation that were discussed a few years ago have been resolved. There is no requirement to revisit those issues and therefore there is not much more to be involved with. I think that is a view which ought not to prevail within the industry. There are ongoing obligations by the owners of brothels to ensure that they comply with the law and that they update themselves on developments in these areas. I send a small warning to them that they need to retain that vigilance about their own position in the industry and their capacity to take part in consultative processes such as this. The alternative, obviously, is legislation which might be a little more heavy-handed than can be achieved through a group such as the sex industry consultative committee.

Mr Speaker, this legislation does ensure that the state of play that is exhibited by information on the register is up to date at all points; that the industry keeps up its obligation to disclose current events or the current state of play within particular enterprises. Attaching some fee to that is perhaps a way of adding a bit of weight to the importance of supplying the information. I hope that that will be the message that gets through. I thank members for their support. I hope that this legislation will further strengthen the legislation operating in the Territory.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Bill agreed to in principle.

Leave granted to dispense with the detail stage.

Bill agreed to.

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