Christian Lobby welcomes LNP pledge to restore local democracy for brothel applications

Glynis Quinlan
Australian Christian Lobby

March 2009

The Australian Christian Lobby today welcomed comments from LNP Shadow Attorney General Mike Horan that local communities will be given the right to reject brothel applications should the LNP win Government tomorrow.

In media comments yesterday Mr Horan said he would make the law changes retrospective so the city of Toowoomba would be able to reject a brothel application that is before its Council.

Under cynical laws introduced by the Beattie Government, councils with more than 25,000 people are forced to have brothels regardless of community or Council concern. This has caused outrage in Toowoomba where citizens are bewildered that their Council's hands are tied.

"There are many large communities all over Queensland yet to be forced to have a brothel and Mr Horan's announcement will be welcome news to them as well," ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said.

"It is unfortunate that the Bligh Government has failed to distance itself from the unreasonable policy of the Beattie Government which gives communities no choice about Government-sanctioned brothels.

“This is now a clear difference in policy between LNP and Labor and together with Labor’s failure to declare whether it will give even two men, two women and single women the right to surrogacy will influence all faith communities, not just Christian ones,” Mr Wallace said.

Media Contact: Glynis Quinlan on 0408 875 979