Sex worker sues motel for refusing room

Melbourne - A sex worker in Australia's Queensland state has sought $30,000 in compensation from the owners of a motel for refusing her a room after they became aware she was bringing clients to their place.

The woman from Gold Coast -- identified only as GK -- said Evan and Joan Hartley, owners of Drovers Rest Motel in Moranbah town, refused her a room after they came to know of her business, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

GK appealed to the Queensland Civil and Administration Tribunal on the grounds that many people use the telephone or internet at the motel for business, and a bed or a room was no different.

The woman had stayed at the motel 17 times in two years without the owners' knowledge of her work until June 2010. She said she also operates from other hotels and motels in Moranbah.

The defendants' lawyer told the tribunal that under Queensland's laws, people were not allowed to run businesses from motel rooms.

Tribunal members questioned whether a lawful sex worker was any different to a travelling accountant or solicitor who also conduct businesses from motels and hotels.

"How do you exclude one type of business and a not another type of business," one tribunal member said.

"The legislation as it stands permits lawful sexual activity, (if not hotels) where's it supposed to happen? In people's own homes," he asked.

The decision is expected to be announced soon.