Greens want rules for prostitution advertising

Green Party MP Sue Bradford is today calling for an Advertising Code of Practice for the commercial sale of prostitution services.

Ms Bradford will today table an amendment to the Prostitution Reform Bill, requiring the Minister of Justice to develop an Advertising Code of Practice for Commercial Sexual Services.

The Bill, which decriminalises prostitution, comes before the House later today in its committee stages. Ms Bradford's amendment may be voted on tonight.

The Green Party Social Services Spokesperson said she put the amendment forward, following a supplementary order paper from United Future MP Gordon Copeland that would ban all advertising of prostitution.

Ms Bradford said Mr Copeland's move was completely unworkable.

"Despite his undoubtedly good intentions, I believe Mr Copeland's SOP could have some seriously negative outcomes, such as increasing street soliciting and pimping."

Ms Bradford has written to all MPs today seeking their support for her amendment.

Ms Bradford's Advertising Code of Practice for Commercial Sexual Services will:

- Ban television and radio advertising of sexual services;

- Limit print advertising of sexual services to ensure it is appropriate and does not, for example, demean women, target children and young people, or glamourise prostitution; and

- Provide for a high standard of social responsibility in any such advertising.

"The question of TV, radio and print advertising of commercial sexual services has not been given a lot of attention up to now, but if the Prostitution Reform Bill becomes law, it will immediately become a big issue. I think it is important for all MPs to consider the best way forward now," Ms Bradford said.

Ms Bradford's Code of Practice, if adopted, would be developed by the Minister of Justice within six months of the Bill being passed.

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