Western Australian Government introduces legislation to combat ticket scalping

December 13, 2018

Ticket scalping legislation to restrict the resale of tickets for entertainment and sport events has been introduced to the Western Australia Parliament.

The Ticket Scalping Bill 2018, which, when passed, will apply to all ticketed events in Western Australia.

Echoing similar laws in other Australian states, the new law will ban anyone from advertising and reselling tickets for more than 10% above face value.

While it will allow consumers to resell tickets, the law will also prohibit the use of software designed to dodge security measures on ticket selling websites.

The introduction of these laws will give Western Australia’s Commissioner for Consumer Protection the power to enforce anti-ticket scalping measures, with fines for individuals of up to $20,000 and for companies up to a maximum of $100,000.

With the new legislation expected to come into effect next year, Western Australian Commerce and Industrial Relations Minister Bill Johnston advised “for too long, Western Australians have been ripped off by ticket scalpers or missed out on seeing their favourite performers or major sporting events because of fraudulent tickets.

“This Bill provides more transparency for those purchasing from a reseller as tickets advertised for resale must include the original price of the ticket and identify the location of the seat or viewing spot for each ticket.

“At a national level, we will continue to work with the Federal Government to address broader issues such as tickets sold by online ticket resale providers such as Viagogo.”

Speaking to the Perth Now website, Minister Johnston said Western Australia has decided not to follow legislation introduced in Victoria, which only relates to designated major events such as the finals of Aussie rules football league the AFL.

Instead, he advised that the Western Australian Government had opted for a broader approach, similar to new anti-scalping laws in NSW and South Australia, adding “our legislation goes further in that it will capture a broad number of events where organisers have put a restriction on the reselling of tickets - not just declared events.

“(The new laws) will apply to most outdoor concerts, most of the events at RAC Arena and the large events like AFL matches at Optus Stadium. This is to protect those large events that are often sold out.”

Image: The popularity of many events and demand for tickets at Perth's new Optus Stadium has prompted the new legislation. Image courtesy of Optus Stadium.

26th October 2018 - South Australian Government introduces new ticket scalping legislation

18th October 2018 - Cricket fans warned against buying Big Bash tickets from resellers

18th September 2018 - AFL finals tickets pulled from online resale as Victorian authorities investigate scalpers

1st June 2018 - NSW ticket resale laws come into effect with maximum $22,000 penalties

21st May 2018 - Victorian Government looks to employ ‘ticket cops’ in resale clampdown

25th April 2018 - Viagogo faces UK court action for failing to protect consumers

16th November 2017 - Victoria Government to crackdown on ticket scalping

5th October 2017 - Choice names Viagogo among Australia’s shonkiest products of 2017

8th August 2017 - LPA releases guide to help consumers avoid ticketing scams

22nd May 2017 - Inflated ticket resale prices impacting consumers’ discretionary entertainment spending

4th May 2017 - Live Performance Australia calls for Federal Government to ‘Stop the Bots’

7th December 2016 - Overseas authorities introduce anti ticket scalping legislation

25th September 2015 - Western Australian Premier rejects calls for anti-scalping legislation

23rd September 2015 - Perth’s AFL finals fever sees WA Parliament consider ticket scalping legislation

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