Tag: sex trade
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Legal Brothels Will Not Protect Women: Why Tasmania Needs a Proper Review of Its Sex Industry Laws
On 12 July 2026, The Examiner published an article calling Tasmania’s sex work laws “outdated and dangerous” and urging reform to allow commercial brothels. The piece followed a Change.org petition by Phillip Cox. Mr Cox argues that legal brothels would improve safety and reduce exploitation. The Tasmanian Government and Labor Opposition have both stated they…
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Analysis of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 (Tasmania)
Overview The Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 (Tas) is the primary legislation regulating the sex industry in Tasmania. It commenced on a day to be proclaimed and remains in force (as at July 2026). The long title states that the Act imposes restrictions on the operation of sexual services businesses in order to protect children…
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Request for Review of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 and Adoption of the Nordic/Equality Model – Email to AG Guy Barnett
Email sent to Tasmania Attorney General Guy Barnett on 13 July 2026 Dear Attorney General Barnett, Re: Request for Review of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005 and Adoption of the Nordic Model to Address Violence, Exploitation and Barriers to Exit I am writing on behalf of Women Speak Tasmania to urge you to initiate a…
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Reviewing Amnesty International’s Position on Prostitution: A Survivor-Centred Perspective
Before the formation of Women Speak Tasmania, members were already active in campaigning against the decriminalisation of prostitution and advocating for the rights and safety of survivors. Isla MacGregor played a leading role in Tasmania, working alongside Simone Watson and the Nordic Model Australia Coalition (NorMAC) to promote the Nordic Model. Together, they lobbied policymakers,…
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Where Does Women’s Legal Service Tasmania Stand on Prostitution?
Women Speak Tasmania recently noted that the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania website displays a modified Pride flag incorporating a red umbrella symbol. Many Tasmanians would understandably not recognise its meaning. The red umbrella is not a generic diversity symbol. Internationally, it is the political emblem of the sex-industry legalisation movement and has been used in…
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Before Women Speak Tasmania: The Nordic Model Campaign Years (2012–2017)
Although Women Speak Tasmania was formally established in 2018, several founding members — including Isla MacGregor — had been actively engaged for years in advocacy relating to prostitution law reform, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. Much of this work occurred through collaboration with the Nordic Model Australia Coalition (NorMAC) and international abolitionist networks. The period between…
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A New National Settlement on Prostitution: It’s Time for Principled Leadership and Restoration — and a National Apology
AAWAA has been part of a coalition of Australian feminist organisations that has submitted a formal letter to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Women, advancing a substantive case for comprehensive national reform to prostitution law and requesting a National Apology for women and girls harmed and criminalised by past and present policies. A…
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Protect Women and Girls from Prostitution – Letter to PM Anthony Albanese and Minister Gallagher
Dear Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Gallagher, Re: Urgent need for a new national approach to prostitution law to protect women and girls, plus a call for a National Apology for all those exploited in prostitution We are a coalition of independent feminist organisations representing groups from across Australia and united in our persistent alarm…
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The Amnesty Dossier: The Truth About Its “Sex Work” Policy
Amnesty International has long been seen as a global leader in human rights. But when it comes to sexual exploitation, Amnesty has betrayed women and girls. Instead of standing with survivors, Amnesty has chosen to side with pimps, brothel owners, and buyers of sex — the very people who profit from exploitation. A Policy That…
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Attorney General Elise Archer Must Intervene on Parole Granted to Tobias Pick
Women Speak Tasmania are appalled at the low sentence and recent granting of parole to Tobias Pick for the killing of prostituted woman Jingai Zhang in 2020. “Not only was the sentence of five years manifestly inadequate but to release Pick after only two and half years sends an appalling message to the community about…