She said Auckland and Wellington have no bylaws at all, while Christchurch has a limited bylaw relating to brothels only. They cited a successful High Court challenge launched in Christchurch against limiting areas brothels could operate in, submitting the Rotorua bylaw clause was "invalid". She also said it removed a more discreet option for clients, and objected to a clause prohibiting sex work on a ground floor premises, saying it discriminated against the disabled. Sweetman also sought to ease councillors' fears over home-based sex work, saying other legal methods existed to deal with issue of noise and littering.
Speaking outside the meeting, Sweetman said she believed a legal challenge to the bylaw would succeed, but that the NZPC lacked the resources to mount one. She also cited the problem of finding a sex worker willing to publicly challenge the law in open court. The committee will deliberate on the submissions next month.
A question as to whether the bylaw would be overturned in the face of a legal challenge was unanswered. Rotorua bylaw 'stigmatises prostitutes'. Benn Bathgate , Feb 15
