A BRISBANE mother has become the first to be convicted under Australia's child trafficking laws.
The woman pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Supreme Court to 20 offences including child trafficking, prostituting her own daughter, and five indecent treatment of her own child under 12.
The woman, who cannot be named, also pleaded guilty to four counts of maintaining a sexual relationship with a child.
The Thai-born mother, now aged 41, first brought her daughter to Australia from Thailand for a six week holiday in 2004 during which she sold her 9-year-old daughter for sexual purposes.
Prosecutor Todd Fuller said the mother ran a massage and prostitution business from her Runcorn home on Brisbane's southside.
He said in August 2006 the girl left Thailand to live with her and immediately put her to work providing sexual services.
The court was told the mum advertised her then 11-year-old to clients as the "new girl'' and coerced her to do in and out calls as a sex worker until September 2011.
Mr Fuller said the mother even had plans to market her daughter's virginity to prospective clients with the expectation of marrying her off for financial gain.
The court was told the mum sexually exploited her daughter over a seven-year period.
Mr Fuller said the mum claimed she brought her daughter to Australia to give her a better life.
Barrister Andrew Boe, for the mum, said: "This is not a cause were a child was used as a drawcard ... to a prostitution business."
He said it was also not a case were a child had been stolen away from their family and sold into a life of servitude.
Justice Boddice, in response the submissions, said: "Mr Boe, don't insult intelligence.''
"The child was brought to Australia for that purpose (of sex worker) ... twice, not just once.''
