Offensive advertising banned on WA vehicles

New legislation commences on 1 November 2023 that will provide the Department of Transport with powers to remove vehicles exhibiting offensive advertising from Western Australian roads.
  • Legislation to prohibit offensive, sexually explicit and discriminatory advertising commences 1 November 2023
  • Department of Transport empowered to cancel, suspend or refuse vehicle licences if advertising is not removed

New legislation commences on 1 November 2023 that will provide the Department of Transport with powers to remove vehicles exhibiting offensive advertising from Western Australian roads.

The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Amendment (Offensive Advertising) Act 2022 aligns WA with other jurisdictions that have implemented similar legislation to prohibit offensive advertising on vehicles. The types of advertising that will be prohibited include language or images portraying discrimination, sex, nudity, violence, exploitation or degradation.

From 1 November 2023, Western Australians who believe advertising on a vehicle to be degrading, obscene or insensitive can lodge a complaint with Ad Standards.

The Ad Standards Community Panel will assess the advertisement against the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code of Ethics, and if the advertisement is found to be in breach, 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 Department of Transport who is empowered to suspend, cancel or refuse to grant or transfer the vehicle licence.

For more information, visit the Department of Transport website.

Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:

"The community deserves to feel safe while using WA roads and not be subjected to crude slogans while going about their daily business.

"This sends a strong message to business owners who choose to display degrading, obscene or insensitive advertising or slogans on their vehicles, by giving the Department of Transport the authority to remove offending vehicles from the road if they are found to be in breach of the advertising code of ethics."


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