The McGowan Government has put Western Australian businesses on notice that it will not tolerate vehicles being used to advertise material that is sexually explicit, discriminating and offensive, by introducing a Bill to ban offensive advertising on WA licensed vehicles.
The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Amendment (Offensive Advertising) Bill 2022 has been introduced into State Parliament to provide the Department of Transport (DoT) the power to cancel or refuse vehicle licence applications, for vehicles that promote advertising that is deemed offensive by Ad Standards.
Under the changes, Western Australians who believe advertising on a vehicle to be degrading, obscene or insensitive can now lodge a complaint with Ad Standards, who will assess the advertisement against the Australian Association of National Advertisers Code of Ethics.
If the advertisement is found to be in breach of the Code of Ethics, the advertiser will be given notice by Ad Standards to modify or remove the advertisement. If a vehicle owner fails to comply, Ads Standards will refer the matter to the DoT, who is empowered to suspend or cancel the vehicle licence under the new legislation.
The Bill will align WA with other Australian jurisdictions, which have implemented similar legislation to prohibit offensive advertising on vehicles.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The writing is on the wall for owners of vehicles on WA roads that carry degrading, obscene or insensitive advertising or slogans.
“People deserve to live in a community that is free from disrespectful language and behaviour, and the McGowan Government is committed to preventing and ending violence against women.
“I would like to thank members of the community and my parliamentary colleagues who voiced their concerns over this issue.”
As stated by Minister for Women’s Interests Simone McGurk:
“No one should have to put up with advertising on the roads that is disrespectful towards women, and contrary to current community standards.
“I am pleased that the WA community will no longer be subject to this inappropriate and offensive material.
“These amendments show that the McGowan Government is committed to stamping out this type of advertising in WA.”
