Recommendations
Recommendation 1 paragraphs
4.73-4.74
The committee recommends that both COMPSS and LPA review the
criticism that has been levelled at the primary market identified in this
report and consider how event holders and promoters could adopt or revise a
code of best practice to address the criticism.[1]
The committee notes particularly the desirability of having greater
transparency in the way in which tickets are issued and distributed.
The committee supports the Ticket Brokers Association's
suggestion that an industry-wide standard of conduct be established. It
recommends that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) be
consulted during the development of this code.
Recommendation 2 paragraph
4.79
The committee recommends
that the ACCC consult with the major participants involved in the sale and
re-sale of tickets to sporting and entertainment events with a view to
identifying areas where consumer education needs to be strengthened. The aim then
would be to devise a consumer education strategy that would arm consumers with
the information they need to protect themselves against poor practices in the
industry and unscrupulous ticket scalpers.
The committee recommends
that, based on the findings of this consultation, the major participants (and
their representatives) in the primary and secondary ticketing markets, revise
or develop a code of best practice that places a heavy emphasis on, and seeks
to strengthen, consumer education.
Recommendation 3 paragraph
4.85
The committee recommends
that the ACCC, as lead agency, coordinate with the states' Fair Trade Offices
to obtain a more accurate understanding of ticket scalping practices within the
industry across Australia and the significance for Australia, if any, of
overseas trends. The aim would be to:
-
allow consumers to present their views on, and recount their
experiences of, purchasing event tickets;
-
obtain a better understanding of measures that have proven to be
effective in protecting consumers from unscrupulous ticket scalping in
Australia;
-
identify ways to bring greater consistency across all states when
dealing with ticket scalping; and
-
draw on overseas experiences that could be used to inform government
decisions on future regulation of the secondary ticket market if required.
Recommendation 4 paragraphs
4.86-4.87
The committee recommends
that the ACCC consult with the states' Fair Trade Offices to review the procedures
for reporting and acting on complaints or concerns about purchasing tickets to
sporting or entertainment events, in order to ascertain:
-
whether information sharing about ticket scalping could be
improved between the states and federally;
-
whether consumers are confused about procedures for reporting
complaints, including the appropriate agency to receive and act on complaints
(the relevant state or federal jurisdiction);
-
whether there is jurisdictional overlap that causes unnecessary
duplication or conversely gaps that undermine consumer protection; and
-
the extent to which consumers are reluctant to report complaints
related to purchasing tickets for sporting or entertainment events.
If the consultations uncover weakness, the committee recommends
that the ACCC work cooperatively with the states towards remedying the
identified deficiencies.
Recommendation 5 paragraph
4.88
The committee also
recommends that, based on the results of the consultations and if required, the
ACCC revise the advice it provides to consumers regarding the purchase of event
tickets in both the primary and secondary markets.
Recommendation 6 paragraph
4.94
The committee recommends
that, in light of the growing sophistication in software, the Federal
Government ensure that the effects of such advances on the primary and
secondary ticket markets are monitored.
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