John Key
Prime Minister John Key said he didn't think prostitution
law reform had worked in New Zealand.
He made the comments on Radio Live when asked about the Chow
Brothers' bid to build a 15-storey brothel and hotel building
in the Auckland CBD.
Mr Key said he didn't think the Prostitution Law Reform Act
2003 had achieved a reduction in street prostitution and
underage prostitutes.
"The argument was that it would eliminate all the street
workers and underage people, particularly girls, and the
reports that we see in places like South Auckland is that it
hasn't actually worked.
"I think it's been marginally successful, if at all," he said
on Radio Live.
Despite his comments on Radio Live Mr Key, said he didn't
have an easy answer for solving the issues of street
prostitution and youth under 18 engaging in it.
Mr Key said it was not a top priority issue for the
Government to address during its current term.
He didn't think there was political will to revisit the
legislation, but said there was support for looking at street
prostitution.
Mr Key said it was better to have prostitution occurring in
licensed premises, such at the proposed Chow Brothers'
brothel and hotel, than next to a school or other residential
areas.
Opponents of the venue are labelling it New Zealand's first
sex hotel.
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