Chloe Whittaker
A local sex worker in Darwin has spoken of the influx of workers for Darwin's Inpex gas
project will boost demand in the sex industry - but like the mining
industry, a shortage of skilled workers means escorts could be fly-in
fly-out as well.
It is said the arrival to Howard Springs of 3000 Inpex workers would be a good thing for the sex industry.
An unnamed 'old player' who used to own a local agency has been back
in town recently, sparking suggestions a new
business venture may be on the horizon.
Nobody can confirm rumours of a new brothel being set up
in the area, saying it would be more likely to expand escort agencies,
which are legal in the Northern Territory.
"We have escort agencies where a girl either comes to you or your private premises or alternatively to your hotel."
Confident of the sex industry's growth but wary of the challenges in
setting up a new agency, sources say legislation banning brothels in
the Northern Territory should be recondisered.
"Sex workers are just like every other worker, we're good at what we
do, we're safe sex experts and I believe we really do need to look at
the legislation going on because brothels do allow the opportunity for
occupational health and safety for sex workers just like everybody
else."
In the meantime, FIFO (fly-in fly-out) sex workers are expected to fill the demand.
"Of course you'd be talking about fly-in fly-out sex workers, Darwin
isn't for everybody, we've always had fly-in fly-out sex workers.