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Cross strippers leg it to Canberra

Sydney strip club closures have forced workers to look elsewhere for work, including Canberra and Melbourne.

The closure of two Kings Cross strip clubs has left Sydney strippers and showgirls out in the cold and considering a move to Canberra.

Police this week closed two of Sydney's most established flesh pits, DreamGirls and Bada Bing, indefinitely among allegations of cocaine-peddling staff and licence breaches.

One exotic dancer said the closure of clubs and increased competition for customer dollars at others meant a move to the capital was on the cards.

"I've thought about other (Sydney) clubs, but there's not enough customers to go around," she said.

"Since lockout laws, the weekend crowds have dropped.

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"Canberra has a few good clubs. There are a lot of girls, but I think the house fees are less.

"A lot of my friends have already started moving here (Canberra) and to Melbourne."

Sex Worker Outreach Program CEO Cameron Cox said working conditions inside strip clubs meant employees would be lucky if they were given time to clean out their lockers on closure.

"Dancers and strippers are independent contractors, they don't get a redundancy or holiday pay," he said.

"But they still have to pay the rent and bills just like everyone else."

Mr Cox said employees were often the last to know of club closures.

And though most workers were mobile and often travelled for work, they would be vulnerable in the short term.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



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