Released today, the report from the Prostitution Law Reform Working Group provides the basis upon which the State Government will introduce new legislation to decriminalise and regulate prostitution.

WA Local Government Association President Cr Bill Mitchell welcomed the final report which he said was closely aligned with the submission made by the Association.

He said the report made clear the distinction between the town planning role of Local Government in determining the location of land uses and the certification role of the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor.

"Unlike the new laws for smoking in hotels and food labelling requirements, it would seem that policing of prostitution will not be a function shifted to Local Government,” Cr Mitchell said.

“My understanding is that while Local Government will not be able to prohibit brothels on moral or ideological grounds, they will have clear powers to determine which areas are appropriate for this type of business to be conducted in.”

Cr Mitchell said he hoped the new legislation would also address the working party report finding that current government policies on prostitution had created additional administrative burdens for Local Government.

“The current policy of prostitution being ignored rather than decriminalised creates grey areas for normal Local Government powers and regulation, and dissatisfaction within affected communities, " he said.

“Far from having a detrimental impact on the community, the current proposals appear to provide a much better basis for considering and dealing with potential conflicts between individual residents and the prostitution industry.”

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