Lole-Taylor Asenati: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeLole-Taylor Asenati: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 26 June 2013. Volume:691;Page:11280. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]12.Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR (NZ First)to thePrime Minister: Does he still stand by his reported statement that the Prostitution Law Reform Act 2003 “hasn’t actually worked”?Rt Hon JOHN KEY (Prime Minister):Yes. One of the key purposes of the Prostitution Reform Act was to prohibit prostitution for under-18-year-olds. I do not believe it has been effective in doing that.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: What progress if any has his Government made in addressing street prostitution since he stated in December of last year in regard to street prostitution that “the Government is looking to through the Local Government Act make other changes that would support local government.”?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Well I think that the member—because she has an interest in this issue and I accept that—is aware that the matter is before the select committee. I think also that the Government’s view has been consistent in this matter and it is that the Local Government Act on the advice that we have had does empower the territorial authorities to make by-laws for the issues that have been mentioned. The Government’s view therefore is that not only do the councils have the capacity to do that through theLocal Government Act but also if there was to be a change to give the local councils even greater powers then I think the Government’s view would be that that should be spread across all councils around New Zealand not something specific to Manukau.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: Given that answer does he then agree with his National Party colleagues that in regard to the issue of street prostitution “Government has continued to pass responsibility to local councils and as a result is causing ratepayer costs and consequential rate increases.”?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly I think it would be useful if the member were to reference that quote to the member who made it because otherwise I cannot be sure of its authenticity. But what I can say is that it has been a longstanding practice that in these areas the matters are handled and rightfully so by local government. That is why the Local Government Act actually empowers councils to make by-laws to prohibit street prostitution.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: Given that sad response—[Interruption ]Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member please ask the supplementary question.Le’aufa’amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor: I am getting there. Is the Prime Minister aware of a legal opinion made available to the Auckland Council that advises that enforceable by-laws cannot be made to restrict trading hours or areas for street prostitution because any such by-law will both contravene the Prostitution Reform Act and potentially run foul of other Acts of Government and what does he have to say to residents and ratepayers of Hunters Corner Papatoetoe and numerous other communities in South Auckland and across the country who have to deal day after day with the numerous health and safety issues that street prostitution causes in their communities?Rt Hon JOHN KEY: No I have not seen that legal opinion. I am aware of Crown Law’s view which is that the Local Government Act does support territorial authorities to make by-laws. In fact I would point out to the member that the Auckland Council when it put out its report in May 2012 calledThe street prostitution industry in the southern communities of Auckland  at page 12 actually set out quite clearly how the Local Government Act does support authorities in terms of making those by-laws. I think the point the member is making is that maybe those by-laws need to be widened. That may or may not be a fair point. The point I would simply make to the member is that if that law were to be progressed further in my view it should be expanded beyond just the streets of Manukau and if that were the case we may well look at it.