The WA Government will introduce legislation to ban offensive, sexist and demeaning slogans from vehicles on the state’s roads.
The proposed changes to the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012 will allow vehicle licences to be cancelled or refused if vehicles display offensive material.
Similar legislation has been introduced across other States including Queensland, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT.
“It’s the end of the road for these tired, outdated, sexist and demeaning slogans on our vehicles,” said Transport Minister, Rita Saffioti.
“I have driven behind these sorts of vehicles with my young children in the car and I have no words to describe to them what these horrible slogans mean.
“While we haven’t seen many of these vehicles on the road lately, we are drafting legislation that will allow us to cancel or refuse licences for vehicles with these sorts of slogans and images.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe on our roads and I hope this new legislation will provide people with peace of mind.”Â
Since 2008, more than 70 complaints against Wicked Campers have been upheld by Ad Standards Australia.
The Transport Minister’s Office and Women’s Interests Minister’s Office have both received numerous letters asking for Wicked Campers and their offensive slogans to be banned.
Cabinet has approved the legislation to be drafted and this will be introduced to Parliament later this year.
“The slogans that we see on spray-painted vans across Western Australia needlessly promote sexism, violence against women and discrimination,” said Women’s Interests Minister, Simone McGurk.
“They are highly visible and send the wrong message about appropriate attitudes towards women and others.
“This legislation will force vehicle owners who display offensive slogans to clean up their act, and steer the conversation in a direction that is more in line with current community standards.”
