Clean up on the streets

For 13 years, John McCracken and fellow Papatoetoe residents have worked with street prostitutes in an effort to move them from the suburb's footpaths and alleyways.

If a new law is passed, Hunters Corner and suburbs throughout the Auckland region soon may be cleared of the few streetwalkers who remain. The Auckland Council is to decide its stance at a meeting this morning.

In July, The Aucklander broke the news that the Manukau (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill was headed to Parliament. The issue has been picked up by the New Zealand Herald, the Herald on Sunday, NZPA, Radio New Zealand, Television New Zealand and other media over the past three months. The bill has passed a first reading and a select committee is collecting submissions.

If enacted, Auckland Council will be able to restrict street prostitution in specified places and police will have the power to arrest any street prostitute or client breaking the law.

The council's community safety committee supports the bill and is drafting a submission. Howick councillor and committee member Sharon Stewart backs the ban. "It's obvious the previous law hasn't worked to get street prostitutes off the street." She says South Auckland has problems with drug-addicted street workers, youth prostitution and harassment. It is estimated that 230 street workers operate across Auckland, and about 400 nationwide.

Auckland resident Storm says the bill is "discriminatory". She agrees there is a problem at Hunters Corner, but says "the bill is not the way to handle [the street workers]. It's persecution." The clients should be under scrutiny, she says, not the prostitutes.

The Prostitutes Collective, too, opposes the bill, listing 19 concerns: "The bill breaches the aims of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 and re-criminalises street-based sex work."

The collective further argues: "Some street-based sex workers are present on the streets because Manukau City Council made it impossible for them to work indoors through their 2004 bylaw."

The safety committee will present its views this morning, December 16, to Mayor Len Brown and fellow councillors.

Moving ahead

After the Manukau City Council Bill passed its first reading in Parliament on September 8, it was referred to the Local Government and Environment Select Committee. Public submissions on the bill have closed, but Auckland Council has taken over Manukau's role and has an extension until February 4 to voice its stance. On March 8, the committee will report to Parliament. Manurewa MP George Hawkins will then present the bill for a second reading, at an undetermined date.