Story: Sex work

Passing of the Prostitution Reform Bill

The Prostitution Reform Bill, which decriminalised sex work in New Zealand, passed on 25 June 2003 by just one vote – the abstention of Labour MP Ashraf Choudhary allowed the bill to become law. This video clip shows the overjoyed response of Labour MPs Tim Barnett (the bill's sponsor) and Georgina Beyer. Beyer, a former sex worker, earlier made an impassioned and moving speech about being raped at knife-point while working, and being unable to turn to the police for help.

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TVNZ Television New Zealand

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How to cite this page:

Jan Jordan, 'Sex work - Legislation and decriminalisation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/video/29381/passing-of-the-prostitution-reform-bill (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jan Jordan, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 31 May 2018