Bill on prostitution deserves to be debated

SUMKAR MP Ken Fairweather’s bill to legalise prostitution needs to be debated properly by Members of Parliament.
I have always believed Prime Minister O’Neill to be progressive and someone who makes decisions on facts.
I was therefore surprised when he dismissed the proposed bill out of hand and in my view, without regard for the facts.
I urge the Prime Minister, MPs, church leaders and others to get out to Port Moresby, Lae and urban centres and get acquainted with the facts.
The cities and towns come alive at night – from the shoddy bars and dilapidated hotels to our more famous clubs and high class establishments, hundreds of thousands of Papua New Guineans are engaged in prostitution as sex workers or clients.
It’s time we drop the Christian country label because who are we trying to kid? Being in the top 20 most corrupt nations on earth suggest we are anything but “Christian”.
I don’t think Fairweather is encouraging women to be prostitutes, far from it.
I think he is suggesting we protect those people who are involved and entrenched in the industry from abuse and exploitation.
Even if the bill does not get passed and I am fairly sure it won’t, Fairweather needs to be praised for having the audacity to raise this pertinent issue.

Not-A-Hypocrite, Via email