Phil Edman says brothels confined to industrial areas do not tend to cause problems for the wider community.
Camera IconPhil Edman says brothels confined to industrial areas do not tend to cause problems for the wider community. Credit: Supplied/Elle Borgward

Keep sex industry industrial: Edman

By Tristan Lavalette, Weekend CourierWeekend Kwinana Courier

After the Courier’s recent investigation into a Rockingham massage parlour offering sexual services received mainstream media coverage, Mr Edman broke party ranks and said the community needed to be safeguarded.

‘We have to protect families with young children, and ensure brothels and other places offering sexual services are removed from residential areas,’ he said.

‘I am not saying prostitution should be legalised but it is something that has always been around and the State Government needs to explore whether brothels should be allowed in industrial areas.

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‘There are brothels in industrial areas in Rockingham, but I have never received a complaint about them in my 11 years representing the community.’

The State Government introduced to Parliament in 2011 its Prostitution Bill, which proposed brothels be allowed in non-residential zones and provide police with stronger legislative tools.

Attorney General Michael Mischin said the Bill lapsed early last year.

‘While the State Government would still like to see regulation in this area, there are a number of higher-order priorities which it is currently pursuing to benefit the community,’ he said,

Mr Mischin said police investigated suspected brothels ‘if the allegation is that it is being used for criminal purposes’. It was local government’s role to investigate breaches of use of premises, he said.