Catholic agencies have supported the Victorian Council of Churches in urging the Albanese Government to give parliamentarians a conscience vote on a complete ban on gambling advertising in Australia. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Melbourne Archdiocese’s episcopal vicar for justice and social services, Fr John Petrulis, joined faith leaders at the anti-gambling campaign launch facilitated by federal independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie in Melbourne on Friday.
“The relentless gambling advertising has caused so much direct and indirect harm to our community,” Fr Petrulis said at the launch.
“We all have stories in our own personal lives of people who have been affected by the harm of the relentless gambling advertising.
“It goes to the very heart of the wellbeing of our community that the mental and social and spiritual health of our community is at stake.
“We are advocating a vote for conscience on the banning of gambling, in our Parliament, and wanting to support our politicians who are fellow members of our community.”
The Albanese Government is yet to decide on recommendations from the joint parliamentary standing committee on social policy and legal affairs into gambling, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.
But there are growing concerns that the Government will water down recommendations amid a rise in problem gambling and pressure from vested interests.
The Victorian Council of Churches, with members including the Uniting, Anglican, Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Lutheran churches, the Salvation Army and Quakers, has long advocated on behalf of church communities against the rise of gambling.
As far back as 1938, it resolved to lobby the state government to regulate gambling facilities. It was concerned that there was a gradual increase in gambling by way of forecasts of racing, football and cricket events.
Catholic Social Services Victoria – the peak body for 45 organisations – supports gambling advertising reform at a legislative level.
Mr Wilkie and South Australian independent MP Rebekha Sharkie, who was unable to attend Friday’s launch, said the complete ban on gambling advertising was the cornerstone of the Murphy report.
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Betting on change: faith leaders unite against gambling ads (Melbourne Catholic)
