A northern Tasmanian man accused of a violent attack on a prostitute has admitted the crime as his trial was due to start.
Brody Leigh Munro was due to go on trial for the attempted murder of a prostitute at his Mowbray home last November.
The 22-year-old was expected to plead not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to grievous bodily harm.
But instead, he admitted to the attempted murder.
The Supreme Court in Launceston heard Munro called the 47-year-old sex worker to his house where he punched her, hit her with a tyre wrench and tried to choke her with cable ties.
People who want to have a say on the future of sex worker laws in Tasmania have two more weeks.
In late January, Attorney-General Brian Wightman released a discussion paper on possible legislative options for the industry, including the possible legalisation of brothels.
Mr Wightman said yesterday the deadline for submissions had been extended to March 23. He would not say yesterday how many submissions the Government had received so far. "These are important Labor reforms to improve Tasmanian laws, and ensure both sex workers and our community are properly protected," Mr Wightman said. "I want to get on with progressive reform in this important area." Whistleblowers Tasmania has written to Mr Wightman requesting he ask the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute to prepare a report about possible legal options for the sex industry.
However, Mr Wightman has ruled it out. "Given the extensive review previously undertaken and the current consultation, I don't currently see a need to refer the matter to the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute for further consideration.
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The Attorney General, Mr Brian Wightman, today released a Discussion Paper looking at legislative options for the reform of the Sex Industry Offences Act 2005.
Mr Wightman said the Discussion Paper follows a review of the Act which was tabled in State Parliament.
“The review of the Act recommended that the Government consider the suitability of alternative legislative models in Tasmania,” Mr Wightman said.
“From the submissions received as part of the review, it was clear that the Act had not been effective in achieving its objective of protecting sex workers from exploitation in the industry.
“The review also indicated that the legislation may not have prevented the operation of commercial sexual services businesses.