Today marks Fiona Patten’s deadline – the date by which she must hand her recommendations regarding sex work decriminalisation to the Victorian Government.
We know Fiona personally endorses sex work decriminalisation. The Victorian Government has already decided to proceed down this path. The questions lie in the details – there are different ways to shape the laws that achieve the broad goal of sex work decriminalisation. Which model will Fiona recommend? Decrim as exists in New South Wales, a New Zealand-like approach or something along the lines of the legislative model adopted by the Northern Territory?
Whether Fiona’s report is published is left up to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, to decide.