Complaints

The PLA is responsible for receiving complaints about prostitution. This means that anyone – including sex workers from any part of the sex industry – can make a complaint about any aspect of prostitution to the PLA. You may wish to make a complaint about:

• safety and health problems in a licensed brothel
• unfair work practices
• people younger than 18 years working in a licensed brothel
• illegal parlours
• illegal advertising for prostitution services.

If you wish to make a complaint, every effort will be made to resolve it. The PLA is determined to take action on complaints wherever possible, and to make use of the information that can be gained through the receipt of complaints.

The PLA does not have any capacity to investigate complaints about illegal prostitution or illegal advertising. The only option for resolving complaints about alleged offences is to refer the complaint to the Queensland Police Service (QPS). However, the confidentiality of the complainant can be assured. The PLA will only refer complaints to the QPS with the permission of the complainant, and complaints can also be referred to police anonymously.

Complaints about the PLA

Complaints may also be lodged with the PLA which express dissatisfaction about the service or actions of the PLA or its staff. Any complaint where the subject of the complaint is an officer or member of the PLA can be made to the PLA directly. Once again, every effort will be made to resolve your concerns if you lodge a complaint about the PLA or its staff.

If you have concerns with lodging your complaint to the PLA, you may lodge your concerns with the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC). The CMC website www.cmc.qld.gov.au provides details on how to make a complaint. Alternatively, you can contact the CMC on telephone number (07) 3360 6060 or for those outside Brisbane on toll free number 1800 061 611.