Suncorp scalpers stand warned – it’s now illegal: Fraser

11 December 2006

Suncorp scalpers stand warned – it’s now illegal: Fraser

Profiteers who set out to cash in on this week’s Robbie Williams concerts in Brisbane by scalping tickets have been warned – new Queensland laws are now in place and you are being watched.

Sport Minister Andrew Fraser said the Robbie Williams gigs were the first major concerts to be staged at Suncorp Stadium and police would be there on the lookout and to issue on-the-spot fines for tickets both illegally sold and purchased.

Eagle-eyed promoters and concert organisers are also sure to be closely monitoring internet sites – increasingly the domain of scalpers – to report the now-illegal activity to police.

Penalties for scalping became law on December 7 when ammendments to the Major Sports Facilities Act 2001 commenced.

The new laws include penalties of up to $1,500 for scalpers and $375 for buyers.

“Scalpers make significant amounts of money by purchasing significant numbers of tickets to concerts and major sporting events and then on-selling them – often via the internet – for big profits,” Mr Fraser said.

“Many of those tickets that are scalped are subsequently cancelled by event organisers and promoters and that leads to disappointment for people who purchase them, unwittingly or otherwise.

“It must be stamped out . It prevents people getting access to major events and deprives the promoters, the sporting venues, the sportsmen and women and the artists – in this case Mr Williams - who stage concerts at our major facilities of their rightful revenue.

Mr Fraser said the laws did not target those people who purchase their tickets at face value from a friend who might not be able to attend

“But it does include concert-goers who purchase their tickets over the internet at massively inflated prices.

“These people may find themselves not only with an invalid ticket once they reach the venue but also a fine of up to $375.”

The fines apply to tickets sold at more than 10 per cent of their original price, protecting people who want to sell tickets for legitimate reasons.

Additionally not-for-profit groups who auction tickets to major events for charity are exempt.

Mr Fraser said the new law would be a big step in cracking down on tickets sold via the internet, increasingly the major tool used by scalpers to ply their trade.

“Today’s scalpers are far more sophisticated, hiding behind a computer screen, but this new move takes important steps to seek them out and stop them cold.

“Now, as soon as they place tickets for sale at exorbitant prices on internet sites, they can expect event organisers and promoters to be watching very closely and then be on the telephone to police.

“That will hit scalpers where it hurts – in the hip pocket – but the laws also seek to break down the market through fines for people who purchase tickets at inflated prices.

“In this way, we tackle the problem at both the supply and demand ends.

Robbie Williams plays at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday.

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874