Prostitution will not be legalised in the country says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
He gave his government’s stand when responding to a question from Usino - Bundi MP, Anton Yagama in today’s Parliament sitting.
“Can the Prime Minister tell us, what his government’s position is on the legalisation of prostitution in the country,” Yagama asked.
He was referring to a Private Member’s Bill which wants prostitution to be legalised in Papua New Guinea.
O’Neill said the Bill proposed by Sumkar MP, Ken Fairweather to protect sex workers will not be supported by this government.
“There are other means we can protect some of these people that engage in this industry; there is no need for us to legalise prostitution in the country.
“If we are talking about the safety of the workers, we have got enough laws under the Criminal Code and other laws that protect issues like assault and abuse of individuals in the country.
“We do not need to have specific laws on legalisation for sex workers in the country to protect these individuals.”
The Prime Minister disagreed that people carrying condoms are seen as sex workers and are abused.
“Also I understand one of the reasons is that people who are involved in this industry are targeted as suggested by the Bill of carrying things like condoms around.
“I do not believe this is true, there are lots of people carry condoms because it promotes safe sex in our society, it does not mean you carry condoms around that you are a prostitute of sex worker,” O’Neill said.