Better information for consumers is crucial to helping them make informed choices when using ticket resale services according to Live Performance Australia.
LPA has welcomed the introduction of an Information Standard for ticket resales which is currently under consultation by the Treasury Department. The Information Standard will require ticket resale websites to disclose the face value of tickets, and to disclose the fact that the website is not a primary ticket seller.
More than 26 million tickets were sold for live performance events in Australia during 2018. While there is limited data about the extent of ticket reselling, unscrupulous resellers and scalpers are the scourge of the industry causing detriment to consumers, artists and producers.
"Better informed consumers are the first line of defence against dodgy online ticket resellers," said Evelyn Richardson, LPA Chief Executive.
"Too many fans have fallen victim to shonky online reselling sites, and the proposed Information Standard is an important step in tackling the problem at source.
"Our Members support an Information Standard that provides consumers with timely and clear access to accurate information about what they are buying and the source of their tickets.
"This includes highlighting they are buying from a ticket reseller and not the authorised ticket seller," Ms Richardson said.
Ms Richardson said LPA had made a number of suggestions in its submission to clarify and improve some of the technical aspects of the proposed Information Standard, but overall endorsed the proposal.
"The Information Standard will be just one tool in the battle against scalpers and shonky resellers. It will need to be backed up by effective compliance and enforcement by our state and territory consumer agencies," Ms Richardson said.
"The new standard will need to be observed by those who operate resale sites in our market, including Viagogo which has previously been the subject of action by the ACCC over their misleading practices," Ms Richardson said.
