Sex workers across Australia are hopeful the tide is turning in their favour, with several jurisdictions considering changing laws that prohibit brothels or leave workers operating alone out of hotel rooms.
Queensland’s Attorney-General has also been in discussions with Police about reviewing its laws and South Australia’s Parliament will - after many previous attempts - again debate legislative change in June.
A Sex worker in regional Queensland and an industry advocate with organisation Respect, Elena Jeffreys, says, “I’ve had undercover police come to my place of work pretending to be a client. Extremely unnerving. It made me feel fearful for my safety and confidentiality.”