United Future
Larry Baldock

Prostitution Bill on the ropes, says Baldock

In yesterday's Second Reading, the Bill scraped through  by 62 votes to 56 at a conscience vote, after a First  Reading vote last year of 87-21.

"The 62 to 56 vote last night was a tremendous result.  There are many more Members of this House who see  the Bill today for what it would be - bad law," Mr  Baldock said.

 "We fully expected there would be some MPs who  would support the Bill through to the committee stage  to see what amendments were proposed, and we are  confident that with this vote so close now, that by the  Third Reading, the Bill will be defeated.

"The fact is that this Bill has effectively been changed  from a decriminalisation bill to a legalisation bill. MPs  are now realising that this is not about the rights of  individual prostitutes, but the real intention is not only  to expand the opportunities for prostitution, but the  industry as a whole.

"This has been the case in every other nation that has  liberalised its laws.

"Perhaps one of the most graphic statements was Matt  Robson's reference to his friend in the Dutch  parliament who initially voted for their reform and now  publicly admits they made a mistake," Mr Baldock said.

"There is no question if this law is passed, we will soon  have similar regrets.
 
"This is the same situation that occurred when the  conscience vote was held on the lowering of the  drinking age.  It had very little to do with the rights of 18  and 19 year olds, but more to do with the opportunity  for the breweries to expand their business and this  indeed was the result of that legislation.

"One year after the passing of the lowering of the  drinking age, the headline said, '13% increase in sales  by Lion Breweries'."

"I am totally convinced that the same outcome will  follow if the Prostitution Reform Bill is passed. It has  happened everywhere else in the world and it is na´ve to  think it will not happen here," he said.