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Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 5 June 2007 GOVT ACTS ON PLANS TO SHUT DOWN ILLEGAL BROTHELS State Plan Priority R3: Reduced levels of anti-social behaviour
The Iemma Government will deliver on its election commitment to give Councils stronger powers to identify and shut down illegal brothels and prosecute their operators.
Planning Minister Frank Sartor and Attorney General John Hatzistergos today announced legislation is expected to be introduced into Parliament this session to implement a range of new measures.
“The Premier gave a commitment in February that a re-elected Iemma Government would give local councils new powers to deal with illegal brothels,” Mr Sartor said.
“Now we are getting on with the job of delivering on our pledge to the community – to target illegal brothel operators.
“These changes are practical and designed to create more consistency in the way we tackle illegal brothels.
“The changes will help to ease the evidentiary burden on Councils when trying to prove a breach has occurred under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.”
Attorney General John Hatzistergos said the changes would empower Local Courts to issue orders, cutting the electricity, gas and water supplies to illegal brothels.
“The changes will focus on illegal brothel operators who attempt to circumvent existing laws and planning regulations and increase penalties for repeat offenders,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
“These measures seek to protect the amenity of residential areas and reduce the risk of other types of crime, which can appear around illegal brothels.”
The new measures will: • Make Council orders to close illegal brothels effective within five working days, unless the order is challenged in court; • Give new powers to Local Courts to issue orders cutting off the electricity, gas and water supply to illegal brothels; • Empower Courts to make an order to suspend a development consent attached to a premises for up to six months, to avoid owners or occupiers circumventing prohibition orders by selling or transferring a lease; • Ensure that criminal proceedings against illegal brothel owners continue even if the business is sold; • Create a new offence of failing to comply with an order to close an illegal brothel; • Increase financial penalties for repeat offenders; • Streamline Court procedures to ensure Councils and local residents can trigger swifter action if an illegal brothel is detected; • Expand the types of circumstantial evidence which can be relied upon in the courts; and • Convene a Task Force and consult with the Local Government and Shires Association.
The changes will ensure residents with legitimate concerns about illegal sex businesses in their neighbourhood can pursue swift action, Mr Sartor said.
“The State Plan outlines the Iemma Government’s commitment to reducing levels of antisocial behaviour – these new measures will help to deliver on the State Plan.”
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