Health experts have condemned the Albanese Government’s consultation on its gambling advertising reforms as a “charade”, as Labor prepares to introduce the legislation this fortnight amid growing criticism from the Greens and crossbench MPs. Source: ABC News.
In May, the draft laws were unveiled by Communications Minister Anika Wells, with the promise of “targeted” consultation.
But Mike Daube, from Curtin University, said he and other colleagues were only given three days’ notice and a 45-minute Zoom briefing to scrutinise the detail of the proposed legislation.
The pressure comes as the government pushes ahead with a watered-down version of recommendations from the landmark Murphy inquiry, which called for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising.
Under the proposal, gambling advertisements would still be permitted during half-time breaks and weather delays in sporting broadcasts after 8:30pm. Horse, harness and greyhound racing would also be exempt from the definition of a sporting event.
Professor Daube said it was “stunning” how little input had been sought from harm reduction experts and people with lived experience.
“The government took three years to consider the Murphy report, but now gives us just a few days to provide comments on the draft legislation, with a ‘consultation’ scheduled for just 45 minutes,” he said.
“This consultation just looks like a charade.”
A spokeswoman for Ms Wells said the department had conducted targeted consultation with stakeholders.
“The department held dedicated briefing sessions for gambling harm reduction advocates and states and territories,” she said.
“There was no dedicated briefing session provided to gambling companies.”
Sunday marks three years since the landmark Murphy review into gambling harm was handed down.
Critics say the draft laws address just three of the review’s 31 recommendations and leave significant loopholes for gambling advertising.
The government has set out a timeline for the reforms to take effect from January 2027.
FULL STORY
Gambling reform advocates rubbish consultation process as government prepares to table legislation (By Holly Tregenza, ABC News)
