The Bill will decriminalise and regulate brothels and aims to provide sex workers with basic industrial rights such as workers compensation and superannuation.

Some minor amendments recommended by the Upper House are likely to be passed by the Legislative Assembly today.

The Opposition’s police and justice spokesman, Rob Johnson, says the laws will lead to large numbers of sex workers operating in suburban areas.

“What you will see now is a massive escalation of what I would call “mini brothels” operating in residential streets,” he said.

“You could see one opening up next door to you in a very short space of time.”

Perth madam Beverley Clarke agrees the laws may lead to a proliferation of sex workers operating from suburban houses.

She says she is also struggling to find an insurance company to cover workers compensation claims.

“When I sat in Parliament watching them debate this legislation a couple of weeks ago, they didn’t seem to think that would be a problem,” she said.

“If it becomes an issue it’s up to them to solve it.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/02/2205479.htm

(See Prostitution in Australia according to wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution_in_Australia)