Robertson H V Ross: Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill — First Reading 
Robertson H V Ross: Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:666;Page:13799] 
H V ROSS ROBERTSON (Labour—Manukau East) 
: 
 Tena koe. Street prostitution can be dangerous. Often in this House we pass legislation with good intentions sometimes not knowing its effects on or ramifications for the people whom we seek to serve. Since the legalisation of prostitution the residents of Hunters Corner in Papatoetoe have never been the same. That also goes for the residents of Otahuhu which also has a street problem. I can tell this House that some traumatic incidents have occurred over the years since the legalisation of prostitution—and out of the public eye. As the local member for both areas I am continually reminded by concerned citizens about the state of Hunters Corner when daylight resumes each day with faeces condoms vomit and drug paraphernalia left in shop doorways and residents woken by actions that concern all and sundry. This evening I stand with and for the people of my electorate and I will vote to support the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill going to a select committee at its first reading. 
The bill is not opposed to prostitution—only to where it is carried out. Street prostitution can be dangerous. It can be a dangerous environment in which to work. Such workers are less accessible to health workers who provide a community education programme with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and on HIV/AIDS. The New Zealand Prostitutes Collective also provides community drop-in centres and outreach services throughout New Zealand where prostitutes can access a range of occupational health and safety support services including sexual health advice the use of health clinics and needle exchange programmes. Peer education and support are also provided on a range of issues concerning the health safety and welfare of sex workers. Street prostitution can be dangerous. 
I emphasise again as both of my colleagues have done this evening that this bill is not about eliminating prostitution or revising the Prostitution Reform Act which was passed in 2003. No it is about where prostitution is carried out. As the explanatory note of the bill states “The purpose of the bill is to authorise the Manukau City Council to make bylaws prohibiting the business of prostitution or commercial sexual services in specified public places in Manukau City. The business of prostitution in private premises carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 will not be affected.” That is where my two colleagues and I from the city of Manukau come from. We recognise that there is a problem. I have campaigned continuously for Hunters Corner in Papatoetoe to be cleaned up. In fact in 2008 I raised the issue with the Mayor of Manukau Len Brown and also with the Counties-Manukau Police District commander Superintendent Mike Bush. They advised that neither of them had the power to do anything about it because no crimes were being committed. 
This proposed legislation allows local businesses and residents to object to prostitution taking place on our streets where it causes nuisance or serious offence to members of the public. It will have no impact whatsoever on brothels or smaller owner-operated brothels. The bill allows for an assessment of the impact of street prostitution in specific public places in Manukau City. I stand here tonight along with my colleagues to support Manukau City Council’s legislation in order that we can do something to protect our street workers. Tihei mauri ora! Tena koutou tena koutou tena koutou katoa.