New Australian anti-scalping laws could shut out ticket touts

LAWS making it harder for ticket touts to drive up the cost of footy, music and major events tickets could be soon introduced. It comes as the AFL and Andrews Government face pressure to act on ticket scalping.

Ticket scalpers have also targeted Falls Festival in Lorne. Picture: David Crosling

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NEW laws to stop touts using technology to rip off fans could help Australian consumers trying to buy the hottest tickets in town by the end of the year.

A “Ticketbot Bill’’ aimed at cracking down on scammers using computer technology to buy swathes of popular tickets before driving up their prices will return to federal Parliament as soon as next week.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said the anti-scalper legislation was needed to stop rip-off merchants buying vast numbers of in-demand tickets and reselling them at higher rates.

He told the Herald Sun the Bill would enter the lower house in the spring session of Parliament.

“This is something that affects hundreds of thousands of consumers, so let’s just get on with it,’’ he said.

It comes as the Andrews Government and AFL come under pressure to take tougher action against secondary ticket sellers pushing up the prices of popular events.

Friday’s blockbuster MCG final between Richmond and Geelong was a sellout, allowing online sites to advertise tickets to the clash for more than $700, more than eight times face value.

Tickets for the blockbuster qualifying final between Richmond and Geelong were advertised for more than $700 blockbuster online. Picture: Michael Dodge, AFL Media, Getty Images

Mr Xenophon said new federal laws, which have already passed the senate, were required to stop use of automated software selling out events before diehard fans had a chance to buy a seat.

“Technology might make it easier for us to buy a ticket but it’s also making it easier for scalpers to rip people off,’’ he said.

But he said the Andrews Government also needed to tighten laws to combat the problem.

The State Government has the power to make it an offence for anyone to sell a ticket for above face value but currently only lists the AFL Grand Final as a “declared event’’ where the practice is illegal.

Events must be “declared’’ 60 days in advance, complicating the issue of the AFL seeking a ticket scheme proposal from the Government ahead of the finals.

But AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said the league and the government could easily act if they wanted to.

“Legislation can fix this without a doubt, it’s fixed it for the Grand Final, which is a declared event and you can’t scalp,’’ he said.

“So the AFL needs to actually get of its arse and lobby the government to fix the problem.’’

The AFL Grand Final is listed as a “declared event”. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Sports Minister John Eren criticised ticket touts but offered no solution to the problem or commitment the Andrews Government would meaningfully tackle the problem.

“No one should be trying to make a profit by exploiting passionate fans desperate to see their team play in September,’’ he said.

“We urge everyone to only buy tickets from authorised sellers — it’s the only way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off.’’

The South Australian Government made its AFL finals at Adelaide Oval this month “major events’’ and threatened substantial fines to anyone caught scalping.

Inflated prices are not restricted to the sporting field with many Victorians trying to score tickets to this year’s sold-out Falls Festival in Lorne, complaining of secondary sellers marking up costs.

Mr Xenophon said sites such as Swiss-based Viagogo were a major part of the problem because they falsely advertised as “official’’ retailer of events and pressures fans into buying seats at higher prices.

“Viagogo’s business model has to go because too many people are being hurt by it,’’ he said.

“And we need greater penalties because this is a global enterprise which too many consumers are suffering from as a result.

“It’s just out of control.’’

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