Court ruling: relief for accommodation industry

The Queensland Court of Appeal decision to allow a motel's appeal against a sex worker has come as a relief to the accommodation industry.

Speaking on behalf of the industry, the Accommodation Association of Australia said the ruling is likely to have broad positive consequences.

"While the focus of the decision was a motel in Moranbah in regional Queensland, there is a strong possibility that a number of other similar claims against accommodation businesses will now no longer proceed," said the Association's Chief Executive Officer, Richard Munro.

"This removes a lot of uncertainty for operators of accommodation businesses in Queensland - particularly in regional areas - and it means they can return to their principal aim of providing a tourism product that is of the highest possible standard.

"It has always been the position of the accommodation industry that the responsibility for making the decision about who is able to stay in tourism accommodation businesses should rest with the owner, operator, licensee or manager of the business.

"Pleasingly, the Queensland Government has a similar position which was demonstrated by the recent changes that were made to the state's Anti-Discrimination Act.

"The swift action by the Attorney-General, Jarrod Bleijie, was a significant outcome for tourism and was warmly welcomed by our industry."

Source: Accommodation Association of Australia, 17 May 2013