❓ Ms Anwyl questions the Minister for Police regarding the abandonment of the prostitution containment policy, seeking details on the decision-making process, its implications, and the government's overall stance on prostitution-related activities. The Minister provides answers detailing the timeline, rationale, and legal basis for the policy change and related enforcement.
AnsweredQoN 484Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
484. Ms ANWYL to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the abandonment of the prostitution containment policy and ask -
(a) when was this decided;
(b) was the Minister or the Minister's staff advised of this decision;
(c) if so, when;
(d) does the Minister support the decision;
(e) how many brothels of the 13 covered by the policy were advised of the decision;
(f) if any, when were they advised;
(g) is it intended to close down brothels and on what basis;
(h) where would the power to do this come from;
(i) which police have responsibility for ensuring that brothels operate in a way that is acceptable to police;
(j) are brothels legal in this State;
(k) if so, under the authority of which acts;
(l) if not, under the authority of which acts;
(m) did the Minister make any public statement to the Kalgoorlie media about the effect of the new prostitution act on Kalgoorlie brothels;
(n) what did the Minister say and when;
(o) what is Government policy in relation to brothels;
(p) what is Government policy in relation to escorts;
(q) what is Government policy in relation to street prostitutes;
(r) did the Minister know that the containment policy was to be abandoned at the time that the Parliament debated the prostitution bill; and
(s) how many drafts of legislation to deal with prostitution has the Minister taken to cabinet, and when?
I refer to the abandonment of the prostitution containment policy and ask -
(a) when was this decided;
(b) was the Minister or the Minister's staff advised of this decision;
(c) if so, when;
(d) does the Minister support the decision;
(e) how many brothels of the 13 covered by the policy were advised of the decision;
(f) if any, when were they advised;
(g) is it intended to close down brothels and on what basis;
(h) where would the power to do this come from;
(i) which police have responsibility for ensuring that brothels operate in a way that is acceptable to police;
(j) are brothels legal in this State;
(k) if so, under the authority of which acts;
(l) if not, under the authority of which acts;
(m) did the Minister make any public statement to the Kalgoorlie media about the effect of the new prostitution act on Kalgoorlie brothels;
(n) what did the Minister say and when;
(o) what is Government policy in relation to brothels;
(p) what is Government policy in relation to escorts;
(q) what is Government policy in relation to street prostitutes;
(r) did the Minister know that the containment policy was to be abandoned at the time that the Parliament debated the prostitution bill; and
(s) how many drafts of legislation to deal with prostitution has the Minister taken to cabinet, and when?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
96 days
The Minister Replied:
(a) The containment policy was the policy of the Commissioner of Police, who decided to abolish the policy following a review in July 2000.
(b) Yes.
(c) 1 August 2000.
(d) Yes.
(e) There were only 10 premises under the policy of containment - 7 in Perth and 3 in Kalgoorlie. All were advised of the decision.
(f) All but one were advised on Friday 28 July 2000, with the remainder advised on Monday 31 July 2000.
(g) No. However, where prostitution is invasive to the community, there is evidence of drug dealing, involvement of juveniles, illegal immigrants, alcohol or organised crime, and there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution, the appropriate action will be taken. This includes those premises that were previously regarded as being within the 'containment policy'.
(h) General powers to close down brothels under certain scenarios are contained within the Police Act 1892 and the Criminal Code. In relation to question (g), there are powers within a number of Acts, for example the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, the Child Welfare Act 1947, Customs legislation etc, to act against persons within brothels involved in such activities.
(i) Vice Investigation Unit within the Crime Investigation Support portfolio, or police officers in country districts.
(j) No
(k) N/A
(l) The Police Act 1892 and the Criminal Code.
(m) Only in response to media queries.
(n) Refer to (m)
(o) The Government's position on prostitution is where prostitution is invasive to the community, there is evidence of drug dealing, involvement of juveniles, illegal immigrants, alcohol or organised crime, the appropriate action will be taken. This includes those premises that were previously regarded as being within the 'containment policy'.
(p) Refer to (o).
(q) Street prostitution is not to be tolerated and is dealt with under The Prostitution Control Act 2000.
(r) No.
(s) Two.
(a) The containment policy was the policy of the Commissioner of Police, who decided to abolish the policy following a review in July 2000.
(b) Yes.
(c) 1 August 2000.
(d) Yes.
(e) There were only 10 premises under the policy of containment - 7 in Perth and 3 in Kalgoorlie. All were advised of the decision.
(f) All but one were advised on Friday 28 July 2000, with the remainder advised on Monday 31 July 2000.
(g) No. However, where prostitution is invasive to the community, there is evidence of drug dealing, involvement of juveniles, illegal immigrants, alcohol or organised crime, and there is sufficient evidence for a prosecution, the appropriate action will be taken. This includes those premises that were previously regarded as being within the 'containment policy'.
(h) General powers to close down brothels under certain scenarios are contained within the Police Act 1892 and the Criminal Code. In relation to question (g), there are powers within a number of Acts, for example the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, the Child Welfare Act 1947, Customs legislation etc, to act against persons within brothels involved in such activities.
(i) Vice Investigation Unit within the Crime Investigation Support portfolio, or police officers in country districts.
(j) No
(k) N/A
(l) The Police Act 1892 and the Criminal Code.
(m) Only in response to media queries.
(n) Refer to (m)
(o) The Government's position on prostitution is where prostitution is invasive to the community, there is evidence of drug dealing, involvement of juveniles, illegal immigrants, alcohol or organised crime, the appropriate action will be taken. This includes those premises that were previously regarded as being within the 'containment policy'.
(p) Refer to (o).
(q) Street prostitution is not to be tolerated and is dealt with under The Prostitution Control Act 2000.
(r) No.
(s) Two.
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