The calls for the Albanese government to act decisively on gambling advertising are growing louder with crossbench MP Rebekah Sharkie spearheading a Bill which would prohibit all forms of gambling advertising.
Sharkie, a South Australian MP who is part of the Centre Alliance, which was founded by noted anti-gambling campaigner and former MP Nick Xenophon, conducted a second reading of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban on Gambling Advertisements) Bill 2024 this week.
The bill was seconded by Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie, who has also been outspoken on the federal government’s lack of action on the ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ report released in June 2023, which set out 31 recommendations for gambling reform.
While the Bill itself is unlikely to get the support it needs to pass parliament, it is a strong indication of the determination of the 18 MPs on the crossbench to seek change.
“I had hoped against hope for a strong and decisive government that would take this report and action the recommendations, so presumably did the seven in 10 Australians who want to see better regulation and support and a ban on gambling advertising,” Sharkie told parliament.
“They are rightly concerned the industry is grooming children and young people through partnerships with sport, in particular.”
“But, in the intervening 12 months, there has been very little conversation and very, very little action.”
Sharkie accused gambling companies of seeking influence through political donations and has said the consultation the government is embarking on through this process is “like consulting the fox regarding its access to the henhouse.”
“This has gone too far. The situation is dire. Regulations are lax, yet the government are doing very little to police this industry. The government have allowed, during their time in government, this industry to continue to flourish,” she said.
“The minister's lack of action, I think, is embarrassing.”
Wilkie immediately seconded the Bill, saying: “The government cannot allow this madness to continue.
“It's way beyond time the government stopped kowtowing to the gambling industry, as well as the big media companies and sporting codes, and instead focused on protecting Australians from such predatory industries.
Bren O’Brien
“The voice of the community is loud and clear on this issue, and the government needs to start listening. There is simply no place for gambling advertising in the Australian media, and it's way beyond time it was banned.”
Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, who was on the standing committee behind the ‘You Win Some, You Lose More’ report, also urged action.
“It was a bipartisan committee. We all came to the same conclusion that gambling advertising should be banned on live TV and on social media. I urge the government to respond to our recommendations. It has been a year. It's time to do something about it,” Conaghan said.
Significantly the Bill, as presented to parliament, proposes a blanket ban and does not present a carve-out for racing or racing media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was again quizzed about the progress on gambling advertising reform by Western Australia independent Kate Chaney during question time this week.
“The member for Curtin, however, is wrong when she says we haven't done anything, because we have,” Albanese said.
“We've been stepping up support when it comes to things like banning credit cards to gamble online to make a difference and save lives. We've done more in two years to tackle gambling harm than those opposite did in their almost decade in office."
Bren O’Brien
“The Minister for Communications is working through all 31 recommendations that are in the report, making sure that relevant consultations occur with stakeholders including harm reduction advocates and industry, and we will continue to work through each of the recommendations which are there.”
Albanese, who then listed a host of harm minimisation measures introduced since Labor came to power in May 2022, said the federal government remained steadfast in its approach to reform, saying it was working through the options to ensure it got it right.
