Auckland street walker ban considered

The Auckland Council has this afternoon voted 11-7 in support of a controversial bill which would see prostitutes banned from some areas of south Auckland.

The decision was made at the first full council meeting of the year, being held in Orewa today.

The bill, called the Manukau City Council (regulation of Prostitution in Specified Areas) Bill, was brought by the former council to deal with problems with street workers in Papatoetoe, in particular.

It is currently at select committee stage and if passed it would mean that prostitutes would be fined up to $2000 if they are caught soliciting in banned areas.

The council would have the power to make by-laws throughout Auckland.

The councillors who voted against the bill said it would victimise prostitutes and go against the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which aimed to make prostitution safer.

Albert-Eden-Roskill councillor Cathy Casey spoke out angrily against the proposal.

She said the now defunct Manukau City Council had created a problem by not allowing owner-operated small brothels in its area - a departure from the 2003 act - which forced prostitutes on to the street.

"If we agree to this it is like saying that we would like to supersede the laws of the land."

She said the legislation would only create more problems and would create a geographic area where the law was different to the rest of the country.

"You are just undermining legislation that went through due process.

"It gives police powers I don't think they want or need.''

Councillor Richard Northey said the legislation was "entirely the wrong way to go about'' it.

Councillor John Walker said he supported the bill because the community in south Auckland had, for a long time, asked for support to make their community safer.

"If you don't live there you don't know what I'm talking about," he said.

Mayor Len Brown said it was a "sad issue'' but he wanted to deliver an important message that he would support the "hard old" communities of south Auckland.

Earlier this morning, Annah Pickering, regional manager of the New Zealand's Prostitutes Collective, said the bill was not "good law".

She said the bill would revictimise already vulnerable people. She said the bill went against the spirit of the act which reformed prostitution.

"Police will resort to a mindset where sex workers are criminals. We are not here to tell you to suck eggs but to tell you this goes against the Prostitution Reform Act 2003.''

Submissions are being heard by the Local Government and Environment select committee after February 4.
 
In support: Len Brown, Cameron Brewer, Sandra Coney, Chris Fletcher, Mike Lee, Des Morrison, Calum Penrose, Noelene Raffills, Sharon Stewart, John Walker, George Wood.
Against: Arthur Anae, Cathy Casey, Michael Goudie, Ann Hartley, Richard Northey, Wayne Walker, Penny Webster.
Absent: Penny Hulse, Jami-Lee Ross.

- © Fairfax NZ News