RALPH WENGE, CNN ANCHOR: In New Zealand, some lawmakers are trying to turn prostitution into a legal profession. Right now, it's a crime to offer sex for sale, but not illegal to buy it. In other words, prostitutes can be arrested, but not their customers. The country's parliament is debating whether to change that law. New Zealand Television reports the proposal is receiving an overwhelming amount of support.</s>ROBYN JANES, NEW ZEALAND TELEVISION (voice-over): The oldest profession at work, but while it's offensive for a prostitute to offer sex for money, it's legal for a client to pay.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our current law is a complete mess.</s>JANES: He's making moving to change the law, it seemed many New Zealanders agree. Our One News Poll asked whether prostitution should be decriminalized 57 percent said yes, and 34 percent said no, 9 percent didn't know. The</s>TIM BARNETT, LABOUR PARTY MEMBER: Essentially, decrenization (ph) is getting rid of laws which particularly relate to prostitution, and replacing them with laws that aim to raise standards in the industry.</s>JANES: Feelings certainly run deep on the issue. Related to the cross-suit (ph), Chris today blames the bill and God's judgment. And while it looks likely to get the support of parliament, some believe it goes to too far.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It will result in much more prostitution, much more advertising of prostitution, and it will become a career option for young women.</s>CATHERINE HEALEY, PROSTITUTES' COLLECTIVE: The overriding effect would be that sex figures won't have to live with the daily fear that perhaps the next client is going to be a police officer.</s>JANES: From Television New Zealand, I'm Robyn Janes reporting for this CNN WORLD REPORT.
New Zealand Lawmakers Fighting to Legalize Prostitution