Hotel and motel owners can refuse sex workers under proposed laws

Hotel and motel owners’ rights to evict sex workers will be strengthened under proposed changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act introduced today in Parliament.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie said the changes would give business owners the power to refuse to rent rooms to sex workers.

“A recent QCAT decision ruled the owners of a motel in Moranbah had breached the Anti-Discrimination Act by denying a legal sex worker a room,” Mr Bleijie said.

“I announced at the time that I would attempt to overturn this decision given its ramifications on the accommodation industry in Queensland.

“This decision is being appealed by the Moranbah motel but it is necessary in the interim to change the law to give businesses certainty in controlling the use of their premises.

“The changes will mean business owners can refuse a sex worker accommodation or evict them if they have reason to believe they are operating a business from their premises.

“The Newman Government supports business owners’ ability to make decisions about what does or does not occur on their premises.

“At the end of the day if someone is running a business out of a hotel or motel room and the operator or manager receives complaints from other patrons they should be able to do something.

“Under the Liquor Act an operator can evict an unruly or rowdy patron for disturbing the peace by holding a party or playing music loudly.

“It is about levelling the playing field so the laws suit the majority not the minority.”

Mr Bleijie added that a discrepancy between the Liquor Act and the Anti-Discrimination Act would now be corrected.

“The Liquor Act states a hotel or motel owner is prohibited from allowing someone to operate a private business from their premises,” he said.

“Now both pieces of legislation contain the same provisions to avoid future confusion.”

The changes are effective from today.

Contact: Lisa O’Donnell 0400 986 432 or Matt Johnston 0432 535 893