Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists that Labor has not been swayed by gambling donations as he inches closer to a compromise deal with the Opposition over the long-delayed issue of wagering reform. Source: The Age.
Crossbench MPs yesterday conceded that they may have “lost the battle” on tougher gambling advertising restrictions but would keep fighting as the major parties hashed out the fine print on amendments.
Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor are expected to agree to tighten up gambling promotion conditions and simplify rules for streaming advertising, although a fresh sticking point has emerged over Labor’s move to ban offshore lotteries, which is dividing Coalition MPs.
The Coalition sought amendments after a Senate inquiry last week heard claims that problem gamblers had been lured by VIP agents offering thousands of dollars in free bonus bets as well as hotel rooms, flights, drugs and escorts.
But Coalition MPs have this week split over the opposition’s approach, with five backbenchers urging a joint meeting of the Liberals and Nationals to do more to protect children and addicts. Four cautioned against a hardline approach, warning the Coalition could not be seen as overzealous about regulation or as pushing the industry underground.
But Labor’s package is likely to remain largely unchanged, aside from some action on inducements, given neither Mr Albanese nor Mr Taylor have an appetite for a “nanny state” debate that could be weaponised by One Nation.
The laws won’t introduce a full advertising blackout, national regulator or an all-out ban on promotions – measures recommended by the bipartisan 2023 Murphy report, which has become the gold standard for reform advocates.
Independents accused the government and Coalition of shying away from reform to appease private interests, pointing to this masthead’s report that donors with gambling links had reported $5 million in donations to Labor and $4.5 million to the Coalition over five years.
But Mr Albanese said his position had not been influenced in the way that was being suggested.
“I don’t suggest members on any side of this debate have been influenced,” Mr Albanese said.
“People come to these issues with a genuine perspective, and we have genuine differences as well on some of these issues. But to question people’s motives is, I think, undermining the civil debate that is required on these issues.”
FULL STORY
Albanese makes deal with Taylor, denies gambling lobby had sway over reforms (By Natassia Chrysanthos and Paul Sakkal, The Age)
