Rich Katherine: Prostitution Reform Bill — Second Reading 
Rich Katherine: Prostitution Reform Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:606;Page:3609] 
KATHERINE RICH (NZ National) 
: 
 First I would like to pay tribute to Katherine O’Regan who did much work to progress these issues during her terms in Parliament. Had it not been for her common sense and her practical and compassionate approach to this issue this bill would not have made it as far as this. I also want to recognise the work of Maurice Williamson Anne Tolley and Wayne Mapp who sat on the select committees who heard so many of the submissions. Finally I want to thank those whom I usually oppose—Sue Bradford and Tim Barnett—for the huge amount of work they have done in seeing this bill as far as this. I would also like to thank some of the staff of the Prostitutes Collective in Dunedin and some of the women’s and church groups that took the time to debate with me both sides of the argument.  
I intend to vote for this bill in the second reading for a number of reasons. For me it is not about endorsing prostitution. It is not. It is about giving some people the same rights as other New Zealand people. I believe it will reduce exploitation in the industry. It is about correcting an anachronistic anomaly that says it is OK for a man to buy sex but not for a woman to solicit. The double standard of morality that operates which allows a sex worker to be arrested for soliciting a man for the purposes of prostitution but protects him from the law should he be the one to approach her is totally indefensible in my view. I cannot accept that this sort of double standard exists in this century.  
I support the bill because it makes it illegal to coerce anyone into providing sexual services. This bill makes it illegal to provide or assist child prostitutes. This bill allows educational and health resources to be made available. It is unacceptable that the current laws inhibit the dissemination of safer-sex information and related products. I do not condone prostitution. I think people are entitled to a better life than one that can be provided by selling sex. I would be heartbroken if one of my children decided to enter the sex industry—prostitution plays no part in my dreams for them—but if they did I would want to know that they had the same rights as any other New Zealander.  
I would want to know that my daughter had the same rights as my son. I believe in one standard of citizenship and for me that extends to all aspects of New Zealand life. I would want to know that as far as possible the industry was as safe as it could be and above board. I would counsel sex workers to get other sorts of work as I have counselled other people who have come into my electorate office. But I would not dismiss them or pretend that they did not exist.  
To the Catholic action group who sent me a note today saying that I would burn in hell if I voted for this bill I say: “Do some self-evaluation. Whatever happened to the Christian principles of love tolerance compassion forgiveness equality and charity?”. At my old Sunday school in Mosgiel we were taught that those were important Christian principles. From memory I do not recall there being a book of bigotry and hatred but perhaps I skipped that chapter.  
The bill in its present form is a practical solution to the realities that exist outside these doors. It is not about endorsing prostitution; it is not about condoning prostitution. I hope members will look to their consciences and vote for a positive change. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Before I call the next member—and it will be someone from the United Future party—I announce to members that if two members from a party want to halve their calls they will be entitled to do so. I presume there is no objection to that course. There is not.