I'm sure the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Scarlet Alliance have some publications since they both advocate decriminalisation. Have a google, I'll do some research myself later.
Bear in mind though Australia has different laws by state, generally shading from legal to legal and regulated.
Edit: You might start with the Scarlet Alliance's statement of principles Possibly one of the most salient points is "Treating sex workers as potential criminals rather than workers denies sex workers access to workplace benefits such as sick leave, holiday pay, workers compensation and superannuation entitlements"
Also, on the topic of brothels: after 1992 when Queensland restricted sex work to privately operating from one's own-premises:
"A direct consequence of forcing Queensland sex workers to operate in one sector of the sex industry has been a significant rise in violence and other crimes against sex workers (SQWISI, 1996a & b). In fact, six sex workers have died as a direct consequence of Queensland laws. In addition, there was a substantial increase in street work and whilst the number of brothels was reduced they did not disappear altogether.
Generally, sex workers who have chosen private work as their preferred work option have been workers who have had experience in other sectors of the industry (e.g. brothel, escort) and have therefore acquired the skills to “go out on their own”. In a sense they have been through an apprenticeship in more supportive sectors of the industry. Without the choice or ability to do this, sex workers are left isolated and vulnerable to those who seek to cause them harm."
And:
Where legislation is deemed necessary it must recognise and incorporate all sectors of the sex industry with the primary aim of supporting occupational improvements in all sectors of the sex industry. Legalisation introduced to tightly regulate or control the sex industry is not necessary and will only act against occupational health and safety outcomes. Further, it has failed in every state where control/licensing models have been introduced. For example, in Victoria a legal brothel industry operates alongside an illegal industry. Street work remains highly criminalised yet this has failed to halt street work, even though violence against Victorian street workers is apparently increasing (Pyett & Warr, 1996). Alternatively, in New South Wales where street work has been decriminalised violence against street workers remains significantly lower.
and:
Currently, in South Australia police routinely confiscate condoms and safe sex literature produced by SASIN (the sex worker
organisation in South Australia) to use as evidence of prostitution taking place in court proceedings.
(South Australia has since liberalised somewhat)
Bear in mind though Australia has different laws by state, generally shading from legal to legal and regulated.
Edit: You might start with the Scarlet Alliance's statement of principles Possibly one of the most salient points is "Treating sex workers as potential criminals rather than workers denies sex workers access to workplace benefits such as sick leave, holiday pay, workers compensation and superannuation entitlements"
Also, on the topic of brothels: after 1992 when Queensland restricted sex work to privately operating from one's own-premises:
"A direct consequence of forcing Queensland sex workers to operate in one sector of the sex industry has been a significant rise in violence and other crimes against sex workers (SQWISI, 1996a & b). In fact, six sex workers have died as a direct consequence of Queensland laws. In addition, there was a substantial increase in street work and whilst the number of brothels was reduced they did not disappear altogether.
Generally, sex workers who have chosen private work as their preferred work option have been workers who have had experience in other sectors of the industry (e.g. brothel, escort) and have therefore acquired the skills to “go out on their own”. In a sense they have been through an apprenticeship in more supportive sectors of the industry. Without the choice or ability to do this, sex workers are left isolated and vulnerable to those who seek to cause them harm."
And:
Where legislation is deemed necessary it must recognise and incorporate all sectors of the sex industry with the primary aim of supporting occupational improvements in all sectors of the sex industry. Legalisation introduced to tightly regulate or control the sex industry is not necessary and will only act against occupational health and safety outcomes. Further, it has failed in every state where control/licensing models have been introduced. For example, in Victoria a legal brothel industry operates alongside an illegal industry. Street work remains highly criminalised yet this has failed to halt street work, even though violence against Victorian street workers is apparently increasing (Pyett & Warr, 1996). Alternatively, in New South Wales where street work has been decriminalised violence against street workers remains significantly lower.
and:
Currently, in South Australia police routinely confiscate condoms and safe sex literature produced by SASIN (the sex worker
organisation in South Australia) to use as evidence of prostitution taking place in court proceedings.
(South Australia has since liberalised somewhat)
