February 9th, 2012 by DiQld
FINAL UPDATE
PLEASE READ BELOW
THIS WILL EFFECT EVERYONE IN THIS INDUSTRY both WORKERS and CLIENTS
21-5-13
Well the appeal decision has been delivered, and the supreme court appeal has been upheld. What that means is that GK has lost the appeal and whilst normally costs would be awarded to the winner, in this case GK was the only one to make an application for costs, so We think this may be the end. I haven’t personally read the judgement yet, but it is a disappointing result.
If we had of won, it would have meant that there was a possibility of getting the law repealed at some stage, but that seems very unlikely to happen now. As the law was changed earlier than the final decision this case had little consequence except the precendent and costs being awarded to GK.
I would like to thank everyone on behave of GK and the wider Sex workers community for your support, we really couldn’t have done what we have without your support.
13-2-13
Well Done everyone! We raised the needed funds to fight the appeal, so thank you to all who contributed in one way or another. We were all blown away by the support we received.
The Supreme Court Appeal Date has been set for mid MARCH 2013 and Mr Bliejie will be assisting the Motel Owners with the appeal. GK has retained her original Barrister.
As we know the anti-discrimination law in Qld was changed by Qld Attorney General Mr Bliejie so it is now legal for accommodation providers to evict or refuse accommodation to ANYONE using or intending to use accommodation for the purposes of sex work.
11-09-12
Re: The information below… ‘GK’ WON the anti-discrimination appeal proving that it is discrimination to deny legal sex workers accommodation in motels/hotels based on the fact they are sex workers. However, the Motel/Hotel is appealing the decision in the supreme court. This is now a precedent setting case.
If we cannot raise the funds needed for the legal team, WE will be forced to GIVE UP.
If we do not fight this, then the Motels/hotels win! This will be disastrous for private sex workers and their Clients (you!)
What will that mean?
The END of ALL legal sex workers TOURING or WORKING from ANY MOTELS/HOTELS in QLD and possibly AUST.
Qld HOTELS/MOTELS WILL BE LEGALLY ABLE to REFUSE accommodation to anyone THEY SUSPECT of being a Legal Sex worker. This might be ANY SINGLE FEMALE staying by herself.
QLD Hotels/Motels WILL BE ABLE to throw ANY FEMALE THEY SUSPECT out at any time day or night without fear of recrimination.
Legal Sex workers WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE to work from ANY QUEENSLAND (and possibly Australian) HOTELS/MOTELS, whether a guest or not! NO MORE INCALLS or OUTCALLS in QLD
The ramifications are further stretching than this, MOTELS/HOTELS AROUND AUSTRALIA have been watching this PRECEDENCE SETTING case, and this legislation could possibly pervade the rest of the country.
We desperately need to raise $16,500 by October 1st. Yes it is alot of Money, but this is a very achievable task, if we can get a lot of people to give a little. PLEASE help save our rights to work and your right to play within the private legal sex industry in Queensland. Tell your friends, tell your favourite working ladies.
We only need 300 donations of $55 (it is only 12 coffees!) This can come from 1 person or 300. Account details are below.
This case has already cost $20,000 over the last year, and our last plea only garnered $6,000. Come on people, this WILL affect us more than you realise.
The Bank Account for donations is:
BANK ACCOUNT NAME: Crimson Coalition
BSB: 114 879 ACCOUNT NUMBER: 483 605 476
BANK: St George Bank
Donation Appeal
PLEASE SUPPORT US and DONATE TO THIS APPEAL ESCORTS NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE
Ladies and Gents please donate to Karlaa’s (alias ‘GK’) Legal Appeal Karlaa, also known as ‘GK’, lost a very important Anti-discrimination Case against a motel in Moranbah that refused her accommodation on the grounds that she was a legal sex worker.
QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal) found no case for discrimination as presented by Karlaa and the case was dismissed under a questionable interpretation of the Liquor Licensing Act which is what QCAT based their decision on.
This case creates a precedent now for licensed motels in Queensland to discriminate against touring sex workers from all over Australia.
Funds need to be raised for Karlaa to proceed with an appeal against this decision, as Karlaa has already spent approximately $3500 of her own money to get the case to where it currently is. If the appeal doesn’t go ahead then life as we know it will change dramatically for workers in Queensland. Escorts will find it very difficult to tour to or around Queensland and be able to work from Motels/Hotels without being “told” to leave or having the police called to “tell” you to leave! Also, if the decision isn’t overturned then it leaves the precedent that the Anti-Discrimination Act is a secondary piece of legislation. This will make it harder for workers to claim rights under this Act in other areas as well. Other cases of discrimination before the Anti-Discrimination Commission have been put on hold pending the appeal. If the appeal doesn’t go ahead or fails, then those pending cases will, according to the Commission, most likely be dismissed.
This means that the ground of ‘lawful sexual activity’ that protects us under the Act just won’t mean anything anymore.
Please note that the money being donated is being managed by Candi Forrest from Respect Inc. (QLD Sex Worker Org), with any leftover funds to be donated to Respect Inc.
The Bank Account for donations is:
BANK ACCOUNT NAME: Crimson Coalition
BSB: 114 879 ACCOUNT NUMBER: 483 605 476
BANK: St George Bank
Here is what some Escorts & Clients are saying:
** I’m stunningly shocked – this is a very, very serious issue. At this very moment in time – any Working Lady in any motel in QLD can be thrown out at any time based on the current decision from QCAT under the liquor licensing act.
** Right now – not a lot of motels know about this decision but given time – they will eventually all know.
** What can we do now? Nothing except offer Karlaa our support as peers and some financial aid.
** They have wanted to push us all into licensed brothels in Qld for a while – this may be one more step closer.
** If we fail it will severely restrict any Sex worker (national and international) from touring around Queensland initially but then as the hoteliers association catches on they can and WILL do the same thing across Australia….
** We need every person that is involved in the sex industry to support this please! Workers, clients, suppliers, Advertising sites, forum sites, Adult shops, absolutely every single person that could be affected if we are forced out of Motels/Hotels
** Geez, I can see that it is going to go back to Joh days with everything going underground in Qld – ridiculous in this day and age
** WE ARE GOING BACKWARDS. What a joke
** It is possible that WLS renting apartments could also be asked to leave, as the decision of QCAT is that WLs are not covered by the legislation IF THEY WORK FROM THE PREMISES AT ALL. So the only ones not at risk of being kicked out are people working from premises they own or are paying off via a mortgage…
** We need our clients support as well, as they need to know and understand what’s going on and how detrimental to our industry this decision could be if not appealed and overturned…
** Karlaa: It’s no longer just about me and one motel owner’s prejudice; it’s about ALL SEX WORKERS WHO WORK IN QUEENSLAND. Together we can stand up and be heard and fight this, as it does affect us all and our right to operate as independent, legal sole operators within Queensland. Legal fund balance stands at: $1072
** ALL and ANY donation/s are greatly appreciated x
