Wednesday, 14 May 2025

Southside Justice

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (09:49): Even though sex work was decriminalised in Victoria in 2022, we know that laws do not change stigma overnight. Sex workers still face workplace discrimination, being denied even basic protections that accompany most other employees. They still face police harassment, with regular reports of being unfairly targeted by authorities. They still face housing instability, with landlords still evicting sex workers for working from home, even when it is fully legal. And they still face financial discrimination, such as rejection from banks when they disclose their income source, despite following all legal obligations like any other worker. This is why it is vital that sex workers have access to legal support services.

Thankfully the sex worker legal program run by Southside Justice provides free, confidential legal help to sex workers across Victoria. It is a critical lifeline for people who are often excluded, judged or overlooked by mainstream services.

We know the decriminalising of sex work in Victoria cannot be implemented successfully without the relevant investment alongside it. If the Victorian government is serious about honouring this commitment to safe decriminalisation, funding sex work advocacy and legal support like the service provided by Southside Justice is fundamental, and I call on them to do just that ahead of the 20 May budget.