Wednesday, 5th December 2007

Copeland pleased with Hamilton Brothel Decision

Independent MP Gordon Copeland today expressed his delight that the Court of Appeal has upheld the decision of the High Court confirming the lawfulness of Hamilton City Council's brothel bylaws.

"Parliament always intended that local authorities would be empowered to determine, through bylaws, the location of brothels," said Mr Copeland, "and I have no doubt at all that this is consistent with the overwhelming sentiment within New Zealand's urban communities."

Mr Copeland reiterated that his new party, Future New Zealand, will repeal the Prostitution Reform Act by following the Swedish model. In Sweden the law criminalises the purchaser of sexual services but not the seller, i.e. the prostitute who is, not infrequently, emotionally or physically in peril.

"Swedish Officials report that the new law has been a incredible success story. Stockholm, with a population of 1.9 million now has only between 105 and 130 prostitutes. It is way less than the number of prostitutes we have on the streets, let alone those working in brothels large and small, in Manukau City (to name just one of New Zealand's urban areas), which has a population of just 335,000."

ENDS

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