SWLRV in the Media
30 April 2023 – The Age “Sick of being stigmatised’, sex workers – and councils – prepare for shake-up
Sex Work Law Reform Victoria has been working diligently on local governments across Victoria as our state moves to decriminalise sex work. The Age quotes from sex workers about what the decriminalisation of sex work means to them. Again we describe the City of Boroondara as the number 1 anti-sex work council in Victoria.
The Age “Sick of being stigmatised’, sex workers – and councils – prepare for shake-up
24 April 2023 – The Murder of Trans Escort Kimberley McRae
Kimberley McRae was a writer and transgender escort in Sydney. In February 2023, one of her clients was convicted of manslaughter after he killed her in her apartment. Matthew from SWLRV is interviewed by transgender activist Sasja Sydek on community radio station 3CR. He pays respect to her life and her work and breaks down what happened in her home and how the law and courts treated the crime committed against her.
Queering the Air (24 April 2023, go to 33 minute, 30 second mark)
1 April 2023 – Academic Law Journal References SWLRV
The City University of New York Law Review publishes an article which references SWLRV’s webpage naming and shaming financial service providers which ban sex workers.
Our Guide Naming and Shaming companies which ban sex workers
25 February 2023 – Queer radio show interviews us about Moira Deeming
LGBTIQ political radio show Saturday Magazine interviews Matthew from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria to talk about Moira Deeming, the Victorian Liberal Party and the Mrs Deeming’s emails released via FOI. The show also interviewed moderate Liberal member for Brighton, James Newbury. The show airs on LGBTIQ community radio station Joy 94.9. Go to the 2 minute, 30 second mark.
Saturday Magazine Podcast 25 February 2023
24 February 2023 – Council podcast covers SWLRV’s publication of controversial councillor’s emails
The Local Government News Roundup podcast names Sex Work Law Reform Victoria as the advocacy group which obtained and published dozens of emails from controversial anti-sex work politician Moira Deeming. Go to the 3 minute 5 second mark.
Local Government News Roundup (24 February 2023)
Read Moira Deeming’s anti-sex work emails here.
23 February 2023 – Anti-abortion Christian blog refers to SWLRV’s publication of Moira Deeming’s emails
Bill Muehlenberg is a fundamentalist Christian and anti-abortionist. He writes a blog called Culture Watch which referred to SWLRV’s critique of anti-sex work politician Moira Deeming. The blog accuses the media and ‘loony left’ of crucifying Moira Deeming.
Culture Watch blog post 23 February 2023: THE ALL-OUT WAR ON MORALITY, RATIONALITY AND NORMALITY
23 February 2023 – Victorian Liberals have ‘no plans’ to change abortion laws despite MP’s claims, leader says
The Guardian publishes an article about our exposure of anti-sex work Moira Deeming’s emails which refer to changing abortion laws.
23 February 2023 – Anti-sex work Liberal Party MPs emails published
Crikey.com.au publishes an article about our exposure of Moira Deeming’s emails. The article talks about references to God and large donations paid to the Liberal Party to secure pre-selection of a candidate.
Crikey.com.au Article: ‘I won because God arranged it’: New Liberal MP’s emails show promise of $100,000 donation for preselection [behind a paywall]
23 February 2023 – Opposition leader defends anti-sex work MP
Following our publication of 100 emails of anti-sex work politician Moira Deeming, the opposition leader, John Pesutto, defends her actions. We published 100 of Mrs Deeming’s anti-trans and anti-sex work emails on our website here.
Read Herald Sun article: ‘I love everybody’: Pesutto stands by controversial MP [behind paywall]
10 February 2023 – We criticise two other sex worker groups for Pride March 2023
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed on LGBTIQ radio show In Ya Face to talk about sex worker representation about Victoria’s LGBTIQ Pride March, held every year in St Kilda. Victorian Government funded sex worker groups Vixen and RhED were both absent from Pride March in 2023. Matthew also criticises the Midsumma Festival for partnering with the National Australia Bank (NAB), giving them a place in the Pride March. NAB has an open policy of banning all lawful sex industry businesses.
In Ya Face Interview (10 February 2023)
NAB’s brothel ban policy (17 January 2023)
24 January 2023 – Debunking De-banking – Financial Discrimination in the Sex Industry
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed on legal radio show Done By Law to breakdown the multitude of ways the legal and financial systems fail sex workers by permitting rampant financial discrimination. Matthew also identifies the serious effects on the lives of sex workers, including housing insecurity, personal safety, tax and more.
Done By Law Interview (24 January 2023)
23 January 2023 – ‘Christine says she’s being discriminated against because of her job. Here’s why advocates are concerned’
Tom Canetti from SBS News reports on financial discrimination against sex workers and the safety threat working with cash can pose to sex workers. Newly elected SWLRV board member Christine McQueen conveys her feeling after experiencing discrimination, “It’s a rage that just sits around my chest, near my heart. It’s like I’m excluded from society, but more severe.” Matthew Roberts from SWLRV said, ‘….that while parliaments are “largely on board” with legitimising sex work, banks are “decades behind”.’
Read SBS Article by Tom Canetti
20 January 2023 – ‘Australian banks continue to deny small businesses an explanation for debanking’
Tony Jaques writes for Small Company about Australian banks’ refusal to accept the recommendations of the 2021 Banking Code Review in relation to financial discrimination.
Read Smart Company article by Tony Jaques
16 January 2023 – ‘Sex workers slam banks, regulator over flawed rules’
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is quoted in an Australian Financial Review article titled ‘Sex workers slam banks, regulator over flawed rules’ about the role that financial regulator AUSTRAC plays facilitating financial discrimination against legal sex industry businesses.
Read Article by Ayesha de Krester (16 January 2023) [behind a paywall]
Read the National Australia Bank’s response (17 January 2023)
16 December 2022 – State Election Analysis on In Ya Face community Radio Show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed by James McKenzie from LGBTIQ radio show In Ya Face to analyse the new Victorian Parliament following the November state election. He talks about the great loss of Fiona Patten MP, but the emergence of new MP’s with sex work experience. Go to the 38 minute, 50 second mark of podcast.
In Ya Face Interview (16 December 2022)
12 October 2022 – Sex Worker Election Guide explained on Wednesday Breakfast community radio show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed by Ella Tooms from radio show Wednesay Breakfast to explain Sex Work Law Refom Victoria’s State Election Guide. Every political party is ranked on their performance on delivery for sex workers. The state election is set for 26 November 2022. Interview starts at the 1 hour, 8 minutes, 45 second mark.
Wednesday Breakfast (12 October 2022)
October – Opinion Piece ‘The Rise of the Hard Right Candidate A Warning from Sex Workers’
Local newspaper, Eastsider News, publishes an opinion piece by Sex Work Law Reform Victoria board members Lisa Dallimore and Matthew Roberts
30 September 2022 – Sex Worker Election Guide revealed on In Ya Face community Radio Show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed by James McKenzie from LGBTIQ radio show In Ya Face to reveal Sex Work Law Refom Victoria’s Victorian State Election Guide. Every political party is ranked on their performance on delivery for sex workers. The state election is set for 26 November 2022.
In Ya Face Interview (30 September 2022)
16 September 2022 – Council Planning Schemes and Entrapment on In Ya Face community Radio Show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is interviewed by James McKenzie from LGBTIQ radio show In Ya Face to reveal what documents released via FOI tell us about councils entrapping sex workers. Matthew discusses major changes to planning schemes which eliminate discrimination against sex workers, as well as naming the top five most anti-sex work councils. In Ya Face airs on community radio station 3CR.
In Ya Face Interview (16 September2022)
2 August 2022 – Sex Work Advertising Law Changes on Done By Law community radio show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Vicoria is interviewed by lawyers from radio show Done By Law for a discussion about recent changes to sex work advertising regulations and how important advertising is to sex workers. Done By Law airs on community radio station 3CR.
Done By Law Interview (2 August 2022)
29 July 2022 – Sex Work Politics Update on In Ya Face community radio show
Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Vicoria is interviewed by James McKenzie from LGBTIQ radio show ‘In Ya Face’ for an update on sex work issues, politics and more. Matthew talks about his recent speech at Humanists Victoria, financial discrimination against sex workers, and conservative anti-sex work council, the City of Boroondara. In Ya Face airs on community radio station 3CR.
In Ya Face Interview (28 July 2022)
28 July 2022 – Humanists Victoria host us in a speech titled ‘Legal but Banned: Financial Discrimination Against Sex Workers’.
SWLRV Policy Officer Matthew Roberts spoke alongside porn performer Christine Mcqueen to expose the extent to which financial service providers ban lawfully operating sex workers.
Humanist Victoria Event Description
Watch our speech on Youtube
28 July 2022 – La Trobe University Newspaper “The Junction”
Article by La Trobe University student Drishtee Lokee, ‘Street-based sex work decriminalised in Victoria’
22 July 2022 – Opinion piece ‘Revealing Business: Sex Workers Can Now Bare All in Advertisements in Victoria’
LGBTIQ publication Star Observer publishes an opinion piece by Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria.
Star Observer: Revealing Business: Sex Workers Can Now Bare All in Advertisements in Victoria
8 June 2022 – New law says sex workers deserve a fair go in the City of Boroondara
Matthew Roberts and Lisa Dallimore from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria publish an opinion piece in Eastsider News, the local publication covering Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Melbourne’s most conservative council will soon be forced to accept sex workers will be able to work legally from their homes after 2024. See page 12 of the August 2022 edition of the magazine.
Eastsider News: New law says sex workers deserve a fair go in the City of Boroondara
21 March 2022 – Air BnB’s ban on sex workers
Consumer magazine Choice highlights some concerns about Air BnB and its exclusion of certain customers, including all sex workers. Reporting by Jarni Blakkarly.
Read ‘Is Airbnb using an algorithm to ban users from platform?’
4 March 2022
The Victorian Local Governance Association produces a podcast called Local Government News Roundup, which covers local government news across Australia. With sex work being decriminalised in Victoria, councils will have a greater role regulating sex work and so engagement with, and reforms, to local government laws will be the next focus for sex workers’ rights activists. In this special edition episode, the podcast chats to Matthew from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria, about the details of pending changes to council planning schemes, private investigators being hired to entrap sex workers and a discussion of the myths surrounding changes to council laws.
Roundup Extra: Decriminalisation of Sex Work in Victoria, and what it means for local government
24 February 2022
For the purposes of planning “council laws will treat brothels the same way as hairdressers,” policy officer at Sex Work Law Reform Victoria Matthew Roberts said.
“If you take out the moralising and the sex, these mundane changes are administrative in nature, it’s simple, process a brothel planning permit as you would any other business.”
Reporting by Tim Lamacraft for Geelong Times.
Geelong Times: Decriminalisation of sex work work means changes to planning laws (see page 15)
3CR community radio sex work radio show ‘Behind Closed Doors’ interviews Matthew from SWLRV and Fiona Patten about the what the passage of the sex work decriminalisation bill means for sex workers.
Sex Work Decriminalisation in Victoria
22 February 2022
3CR community radio show ‘Done by Law ‘interviews Matthew from SWLRV about the what the passage of the sex work decriminalisation bill means for sex workers.
Decriminalisation of Sex Work in Victoria
17 February 2022
Hosts Alice and Ella joined Matthew from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria in parliament to witness the historic final vote of the passage of the Sex Work Decriminalisation 2021. They chat to Matthew about the day in parliament, the debate, and the final vote. Go to the 1 hour, 12 minute, 30 second mark of the podcast.
15 February 2022
An anti-sex work opinion piece makes radical feminist arguments opposing the decriminalisation of consensual adult sex work in Victoria. The unnamed author names Sex Work Law Reform Victoria and criticizes our efforts to combat discrimination against the sex industry.
14 February 2022
11 February 2022
SBS News: Victoria takes ‘groundbreaking step’ to decriminalise sex work in new law reforms
Northern Beaches Review: ‘Historic day’ as Vic sex work laws pass
Newcastle Herald: ‘Historic day’ as Vic sex work laws pass
The Age: ‘Historic day’ for Victoria as sex work is decriminalised
Yahoo News: Vic decriminalises sex work as bill passes
11 February 2022
3CR community radio LGBTIQ show ‘In Ya Face’ covers ‘Sex Work Decriminalised in Victoria’
11 February 2022
30 minute interview with SWLRV spokesperson about what decriminalising sex work means for Victorian sex workers.
10 February 2022
Canberra Times: Vic decriminalises sex work as bill passes
10 February 2022
10 February 2022
The Age: ‘Historic day’ for Victoria as sex work decriminalisation nears
7 February 2022
Guardian Australia reports on the details of the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021
Benita Kolovos reports on how the repeal bill will benefit sex workers over the next two years, as well as possible amendments. We’re quoted commenting on how the existing sex work laws let down sex workers, “The most disadvantaged sex workers, particularly migrant sex workers, gender diverse sex workers, they’re the ones that are usually in that illegal underground area and the consequences of that is many feel they are not able to report unfair work practices and crimes to police.”
13 December 2021
Crikey.com.au article about banking discrimination quotes us
Issues management consultant Tony Jaques breaks down the findings of the Banking Code Review 2021. The review, conducted by Mike Callaghan reviewed banking regulation and provided recommendations to address banking discrimination against the sex industry. The article refers to Sex Work Law Reform Victoria’s submission which showed human trafficking and money laundering data cannot justify a blanket denial of service to sex industry businesses.
Read article: ‘Banks as moral arbiters? Not even their own review supports that idea’
Read Banking Code Review 2021 Final Report
1 December 2021
Banking Code Review 2021 Final Report
The Banking Code Reviewer, Mike Callaghan, published his Final Report, which recommends ways banking regulation can be reformed to better protect sex workers against banking discrimination. The Final Report refers to Sex Work Law Reform Victoria on pages 91, 101 and 102.
Read Banking Code Review 2021 Final Report
23 November 2021
Giving evidence to a South Australian Parliamentary Select Committee
A Sex Work Law Reform Victoria spokesperson gives evidence at a Select Committee at the South Australian Parliament in support of sex work decriminalisation in South Australia. Attending via video link after Fiona Patten, the Committee asked a number of questions about our 2021 submission which supported passage of the Statutes Amendment (Repeal of Sex Work Offences) Bill 2020 (SA).
Transcript of evidence (23 November 2021)
Read our Submission to the Select Committee
Go to Statutes Amendment (Repeal of Sex Work Offences) Bill (SA) inquiry website
12 November 2021
The Victorian Law Reform Commission quotes us in sexual assault report
The report, “Improving the Justice System Responses to Sexual Offences” extensively quotes from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria following its consultation with us and our submission to the review. See paragraphs 4.89, 6.18, 8.22, 8.26, 8.75, 8.84, 14.38, 14.150, 17.109, 18.48 and 20.42.
Read report ‘Improving the Justice System Response to Sexual Offences‘
26 October 2021
Radio Interview about Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 (Vic)
‘Done By Law’ is a weekly radio show hosted by lawyers about how the law affects marginalised communities and society at large. It airs on community radio station 3CR. The hosts chat to Matthew from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria, about the newly unveiled bill to decriminalise sex work and what it means for sex workers.
15 October 2021
Radio interview about Victoria’s new sex work decriminalisation bill
James McKenzie from ‘In Ya Race’ on community radio station 3CR chats about the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 (Vic) and what it means for sex workers. Listen to podcast.
12 October 20211
Sex workers, adult shops and gun businesses say they are being denied banking services
Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is quoted in an ABC article by Rhiana Whitson about financial discrimination against the sex industry and firearms dealers.
Watch ABC iView 3 minute piece
October 2021
We publish an opinion piece in local publication ‘Eastsider News’
Sex Work Law Reform Victoria publishes an opinion piece about sex work in the suburbs and what the decriminalisation of sex work will mean for residents in the City of Boroondara. We argue that residents have nothing to fear as the experience in New South Wales shows no increase in amenity impact from sex work following decriminalisation.
27 September 2021
Cheryl Overs and Matthew Roberts speak at City of Boroondara council meeting
Following a council vote against sex work decriminalisation, Matthew Roberts from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria and veteran sex workers’ rights advocate Cheryl Overs speak in favour of sex workers’ rights at one of Melbourne’s most conservative councils, the City of Boroondara. A string of anti-sex work voices followed their short speeches. Watch a Youtube video of the meeting. Sex work discussion occurs at the very beginning of the video.
23 September 2021
Crikey.com.au Covers Banking Discrimination Against the Sex Industry
Crisis management consultant Tony Jaques writes an opinion piece pointing out the irony of the banks taking a moral high ground by banning sex industry businesses. He also looks at how the Banking Code Review looks like being a missed opportunity to finally address the ongoing problem of banking discrimination against small businesses.
7 September 2021
Monash University Student Newspaper Covers Sex Work
Journalist SOHANI GOONETILLAKE from Mojo news (Monash University student publication) interview key sex workers’ rights advocates about how Victoria came to decriminalise sex work and what it all means for sex workers. Quote from SWLRV spokesperson, ‘Sensitivity training and education of the government bodies regulating this industry needs to occur so that they are aware of how to appropriately treat and engage with sex workers.’
Blow jobs are real jobs: sex workers speak out amid political change
6 April 2021
ABC’s Radio National reports on Victoria’s move to fully decriminalise sex work
Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC, reports on the Victoria move to decriminalise sex work. Comparing the regulation of 19th Victorian brothels to the situation today, Radio National’s ‘The Law Report’ interview historians, legal experts, a sex worker and a critic of the sex industry. The program identifies Sex Work Law Reform Victoria as a key advocacy organisation pushing to decriminalise sex work. Cheryl Overs is interviewed.
Listen to podcast Full Decriminalisation of Sex Work on the Cards in Victoria
2 March 2021
The Guardian Australia covers new law that seeks to crack down on online porn
Australian Politics journalist Josh Taylor from The Guardian Australia publishes an article, Fears online safety law could censor all adult content and force sex workers off internet about the Online Safety Bill 2021 which seeks to protect Australians online by cracking down on cyberbulling and harmful content online. However, the bill also targets online pornography between consenting adults. SWLRV is quoted “[the bill will[ effectively censor adult online content that could potentially have unintended consequences for the sex industry and porn industries and have a devastating impact on the ability of sex workers to earn a legitimate income”
Read Fears online safety law could censor all adult content and force sex workers off internet
17 November 2020
SWLRV Committee member publishes personal anecdote in Great Sex Worker Writings
Sex Work Law Reform Victoria committee member Claire Stellar publishes a piece in Great Sex Worker Writings, a new digital publication of works by sex workers. Claire’s piece, Peep Show Mayhem, talks about her experiences in various forms of sex work, including peep show performances.
Read “Peep Show Mayhem”
Great Sex Worker Writings website
15 October 2020
Fiona Patten, MP provides Sex Work Review update in radio interview
Fiona Patten, MP from the Reason Party appears alongside Lisa from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria, on Australia’s only sex work radio show, Behind Closed Doors. The two guests discuss which desired reforms were raised by sex workers, how Victoria’s Sex Work Review is progressing, and what to expect in 2021.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: Fiona Patten: Victoria’s Sex Work Review update
Stream on website: Fiona Patten: Victoria’s Sex Work Review update
15 October 2020
Australian Financial Review covers NAB and sex industry discrimination
Banking journalist James Frost from The Australian Financial Review publishes an article, NAB’s Sex Industry Woes about the bank’s policy of refusing to provide financial services to legal sex industry businesses across Australia. SWLRV is quoted “Banks should be able to manage their risk without discriminating by taking the trouble to assess each applicant on their individual merits and risk profile rather than just taking a broad brush to an entire industry.”
Read “NAB’s Sex Industry Woes (content behind a paywall)
Our webpage about banking discrimination
17 August 2020
LGBTIQ publication The Star Observer publishes an article about coronavirus and sex work, highlighting the need for the Victorian Government to communicate more clearly what coronavirus restrictions mean for the sex industry. The article quotes from SWLRV and sex worker rights’ activist Cheryl Overs.
Read ‘SEX WORKERS CALL FOR COVID-19 CLARIFICATION’ by Jessi Lewis
5 August 2020
Journalist Amber Shultz publishes article about rape law reform, sex work and whether non payment of sex work service fees constitutes rape. Lisa from Sex Work Law Reform Victoria provides comment.
20 May 2020
“It’s sex discrimination: banks strip brothels and escort agencies of their rights”. Amber Shultz from Crikey.com.au reports on the extent of financial discrimination against the sex industry and the surprising way in which the financial services industries so open about the discrimination.
27 March 2020
” ‘I’m clean and safe’: Brothels close but sex workers still ply trade”. Farrah Tomazin from The Age writes about how Victorian sex work laws and coronavirus restrictions intersect to permit many sex workers to continue to operate during a pandemic. Sex Work Law Reform Victoria is quoted.
11 December 2019
Crikey.com.au quotes Sex Work Law Reform Victoria in article titled, “Sex workers are facing financial discrimination from our biggest institutions”
Read article on the Crikey.com.au website
6 December 2019
Australia’s only sex work radio show, Behind Closed Doors wins Best New Show at Melbourne community radio station 3CR. Sex Work Law Reform Victoria
Listen to Fiona Patten interviewed on ‘Behind Closed Doors’ discussing Victoria’s upcoming 2020 sex work inquiry.
30 November 2019
The Age quotes Sex Work Law Reform Victoria in article titled, ”Off the streets and on the net’: solicitation charges dwindle as sex workers shift online’
Read article on The Age website
27 November 2019
The Australian Associated Press article quotes Sex Work Law Reform Victoria in article titled, ‘Vic could fully decriminalise sex work’
27 November 2019
Sex Work Law Reform Victoria quoted in The Age article ‘Sex workers are sick of rapes, assaults and want protection’
Read article on the Age website
29 September 2019
Film students at Deakin University in association with SWLRV release a six minute documentary, ‘Men at Work’, about male Sex Work in Melbourne. The film tells the story of a young and determined male escort. For more information about this film, see the ‘Men at Work’ FaceBook page.
View ‘Men at Work’ on Youtube below.
15 June 2019
News.com.au article ‘Kate Iselin: Inside the life of a 54-year-old street-based sex worker‘ by Kate Iselin quotes us in an exploration of street-based sex work and policing.
27 April 2019
News.com.au article ‘Brothels on your street? How sex work decriminalisation would affect you’ by Kate Iselin quotes us in a discussion about sex work decriminalisation.
December 2018
Workplace Safety Blog refers to Sex Work Law Reform Victoria
21 November 2018
Melbourne community radio show 3CR interviewed us about the 2018 Victorian election and the decriminalisation of sex work. Go to the 30 minute mark of the audio clip at the 3CR’s website. Podcast and audio clip no longer available.
© Sex Work Law Reform Victoria 2023