‘Your government sucks’: Bizarre reason Melbourne punk band Private Function’s new album is banned in SA

The new album from Melbourne punk band Private Function has breached SA’s laws – but not because of the usual censorship rules.

Melbourne rockers Private Function.

The latest album from Melbourne punk rockers Private Function has been banned in South Australia.

It’s not for profanity or nudity or any of the usual reasons records have been censored in the past.

It’s because the cover features a giant scratchie that contravenes the state’s lottery laws.

Private Function released 3000 copies of its latest album 370HSSV 0773H, each with three scratchable panels on the front – which could land one lucky fan a signed test pressing or the record, a picture of their face printed on future pressings, and $2999 cash.

“We were thinking about how we could give back to our fans in a fun way, and we came up with this really simple idea that we couldn’t believe hadn’t been done before,” the band said in a statement.

“Finding a company that would actually print scratchable panels onto record sleeves wasn’t easy, but you bet we found a way to make it happen.”

Private Function’s new album 370HSSV 0773H.

But it seems the prize, or more particularly the cash element, has caused some headaches in the Festival State where all scratch-and-win promotions require a special permit.

“To all South Australian residents, this first pressing is unavailable to you because your government sucks,” the band said.

“We’re sorry. Hopefully we can come to some kind of deal with your government, otherwise we’ll make sure you receive future pressings.”

And it looks like “some kind of deal” might actually be forthcoming, with South Australia’s Liquor & Gambling Commissioner Dino Soulio saying that he had looked into the issue and reached out to Private Function.

“There are strict requirements under the Lotteries Act in South Australia for anyone wanting to offer any form of instant win scratchie promotion to ensure consumers are protected,” Mr Soulio said.
“In this instance, I’m sure we can find a practical solution.”

Private function are no strangers to pushing the limit with album covers.

The band’s debut EP Six Smoking Songs featured images on Bryan Curtis, the lung cancer victim featured on many Australian cigarette packets, while a limited-run the album Whose Line Is It Anyway had mysterious bags of white powder embedded in the vinyl.