Queensland Consolidated Acts

PROSTITUTION ACT 1999 - SECT 17

17 Suitability of applicant

(1) In deciding whether an applicant for a licence is a suitable person to operate a licensed brothel, the Authority must consider all relevant matters including the following—

(a) the applicant’s reputation, having regard to character, honesty and integrity;

(b) whether the applicant has been convicted of an offence against this Act or a corresponding law;

(c) whether the applicant has been convicted of an indictable offence;

(d) whether the applicant has been convicted of an offence, the circumstances of which constituted the running of a brothel;

(e) whether the applicant has been charged with any offence of a sexual nature that involves violence, intimidation, threats or children, including the circumstances surrounding the laying of the charge and whether proceedings in relation to the charge are continuing or have been discontinued;

(f) whether the applicant has, or is or will be able to obtain, financial resources that are adequate to ensure the financial viability of the brothel;

(g) whether the applicant will have in place arrangements to ensure the safety of persons directly involved in providing prostitution and that otherwise comply with the requirements of this Act;

(h) whether the business structure for the operation of the brothel is sufficiently transparent to enable all associates of the applicant, whether individuals or bodies corporate, to be readily identified;

(i) whether the applicant is an associate of a person who has been convicted of a disqualifying offence or an indictable offence;

(j) whether the applicant is an associate of a body corporate, an executive officer of which has been convicted of a disqualifying offence or an indictable offence;

(k) whether the applicant is an associate of a person who holds a licence or a permit under the Liquor Act 1992 ;

(l) any other matter prescribed under a regulation.

(2) For subsection (1) (d) or (e) , it does not matter whether the offence is alleged to have been committed in Queensland or elsewhere.

(3) For subsection (1) (h) , (i) , (j) or (k) , the applicant may arrange for the Authority to obtain information directly from a person who is or may be an associate of the applicant.

(4) The Authority must not decide that an applicant for a licence is not a suitable person to operate a licensed brothel because the applicant has worked as a prostitute.