Hotels to turn away sex workers
Queensland hotels and motels may soon be able to stop prostitution on their premises, under new legislation put forward yesterday. Sex workers are currently protected under the Anti-Discrimination Act, but proposed amendments will give accommodation owners the right to evict them.
The legislation put forward by the Attorney-General, would give Queensland’s hotel and motel owners right to turn away those they believe to be sex workers.Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Richard Munro says the industry will welcome the change.The issue has caused problems in the past. A lawsuit last August saw the owners of the Drover’s Rest Motel were found to have breached the Anti-Discrimination Act by denying a legal sex worker a room.But the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties Vice President Terry O’Gorman says amending the Act is discrimination.