Sex workers are currently gathered in Kalgoorlie for their first ever regional conference in a bid to bring national attention to the fact that WA MPs are yet to pass laws (introduced in August) to regulate WA's sex industry.
At present, prostitution is legal, but living off the earnings of it is not. Nor is running a brothel.
WA Attorney-General Jim McGinty's bill proposes to change this by decriminalising and regulating brothels and escort agencies in WA. The bill - which was created in collaborataion with sex workers, health professionals and local government and has the support of WA police - is believed to be a pragmatic approach to protecting sex workers' health and safety, yet WA MPs are dragging their heels in passing it.
Sex workers' are sending out a public call to the WA parliament, saying the political grandstanding must come to an end and that it's time to pass the law and finish the job of granting sex workers' rights and equal opportunities.