International Paintball Group is extremely excited to announce the approval of NSW Paintball reforms by Cabinet. The Department of Finance, Services and Innovation announced the legislative changes today. It is a landmark approval and something that has been many years in the making. IPG joined forces with the Australasian Paintball Association (AUPBA) to spearhead initiatives focusing on the review of the minimum age restrictions. After liaising directly with IPG, the AUPBA and other industry stakeholders, the Cabinet approval includes:
- The NSW government has agreed to modernise the regulatory structure and reduce red tape for the paintball industry, while maintaining robust public safety controls.
- The Government intends to introduce legislation in 2018-19 which will give effect to the new regulatory scheme.
- Under the new scheme, responsibility for regulating the industry will transfer from NSW Police to the Department of Finance, Service and Innovation (DFSI). There is expected to be a reduction in the minimum age for players, and streamlining of the permit system. Consumer protection and community safety remain two of the highest priorities for the government and these considerations underpin any legislative changes.
- It will take some time after the legislation passes the NSW Parliament to commence the new regulatory scheme – DFSI will need to put in place to the new IT infrastructure to support the scheme, and venues will need to ensure that public liability insurance, working with children checks and work health and safety systems are updated to prepare for these changes.
- DFSI looks forward to continuing to work with industry during the transition phase.
IPG’s 100% Safety record in Australia and New Zealand was a contributing factor in having the age reduced to 12 years. Prior to this recent announcement, IPG has been providing safe and memorable Paintballing days to customers aging from 10 years old in South Australia and 12 years old in Western Australia. It is exciting to see the NSW Paintball industry join their fellow Australian states.
Early indications suggest the legislative changes will take many months to be completed and these changes are said to be likely to take effect in late 2018/early 2019..
For more information please contact International Paintball Group or view the AUPBA Press Release here.
