SEX workers were last night celebrating a stunning victory in their battle against motel owners in the booming mining towns, after the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in favour of a prostitute who complained of discrimination after being told she could not rent a room.

The decision is likely to have ramifications for hotel and motel operators across Australia, who could now find themselves in breach of the anti-discrimination laws that exist in every state if they try to turn away prostitutes.

Prostitutes have descended upon small towns near the large mines in record numbers over the past few years, determined to take a slice of the mining boom.

They advertise their arrival in town in the local newspaper and see up to 10 clients a night. Motel owners claim they deter other customers.

But when the owners of the Drover's Rest Motel in the mining town of Moranbah, which services the Peak Downs mine in Queensland, tried to turn away a sex worker known as "Karlaa" she sued in the tribunal, using the Anti-Discrimination Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of lawful sexual activity.

...She argued her use of the bed was no different from somebody who checked into a motel and used the phone or internet for business. Prostitution is legal in Queensland.

Karlaa told The Australian yesterday: "At the end of the day, it's not acceptable to discriminate against people. What I do might not be to everyone's taste but it's legal, and it's how I make my living.

"Not everyone would choose to do the job I do, but it's not right that they can treat me like a second-class citizen. They wanted me to go away, but I am a tenacious little terrier and I would not give up."

The full judgment has not yet been released, but QCAT confirmed Karlaa's victory. She is seeking $30,000 compensation.

Accommodation Association of Australia chief executive Richard Munro said the industry would have to examine the judgment before deciding whether to appeal "but in general terms, we say that it should be up to the owner, the proprietor, the licensee, to protect the amenity of their business".

"People go to motels to sleep, to enjoy the premises, and if they can't do that because of the activities of another guest, the motel owner should be allowed to protect their business."

The case featured in the June 30 issue of The Weekend Australian Magazine about the rise in fly-in, fly-out sex workers.

Does the owner's right extend to employees?

This is an article piece from the Australian, linky below on the topic of discrimination vs proprietor rights. At what point does the proprietor right start to infringe on discrimination?

Do you support equal discrimination rules regarding hiring and customers, or just one and not the other? (or neither)

Edit. Prostitution is a legal in Australia in most major states.



http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/na ... 6445124136

I'm not sure that "discriminatory service policies" is a charge I've ever seen levied against a prostitute.

I'm not sure that "discriminatory service policies" is a charge I've ever seen levied against a prostitute.

Tee hee. Rynar is so witty.

Frankly, this sort of dispute is what we have courts for. The owner of a business should be able to refuse service to a customer. At the same time, a person who engages in legal commerce shouldn't be blacklisted by their suppliers.

"Find a new job, whore!" isn't an argument that really carries a lot of water, either. Prostitute isn't exactly what little girls dream of becoming when they get out of school.

Sure you have. Prostitutes file more rape charges than anyone. In Australia they should be prohibited from filing.

Tee hee. Rynar is so witty.

Frankly, this sort of dispute is what we have courts for. The owner of a business should be able to refuse service to a customer. At the same time, a person who engages in legal commerce shouldn't be blacklisted by their suppliers.

"Find a new job, whore!" isn't an argument that really carries a lot of water, either. Prostitute isn't exactly what little girls dream of becoming when they get out of school.

"What I do might not be to everyone's taste but it's legal, and it's how I make my living.

Not everyone would choose to do the job I do,..."

They advertise their arrival in town in the local newspaper and see up to 10 clients a night. Motel owners claim they deter other customers.

As for "White, smiling people", white has nothing to do with it. Just having smiling employees is a major boost to one's business. People care a lot more about how they are treated at an establishment than the skin color of who is dealing with them. As far as Rynar being funny, you're in no position to complain about anyone else being a smartass.

If there was a business staffed by nothing but smiling white people

I'm going to break ranks and side with the hotel owners. Which sucks, but I support the right to choose who you do business with.

Break ranks with who? The hookers? I'm always learning new things about you.

Break ranks with her sex-positive feminist stance that typically supports a legalized sex industry.

Break ranks with her sex-positive feminist stance that typically supports a legalized sex industry.