A long-awaited response to an inquiry calling for a ban on gambling advertising was tabled on budget day, prompting accusations that the Albanese Government is trying to bury the document. Source: ABC News.
The official government response outlines a package of gambling reforms announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last month but ignores a key recommendation for a national online gambling regulator.
Under his reform package, gambling ads would be partially restricted on television and radio, with opt-out rules for online promotions and a ban on putting ads in stadiums and on sports jumpers.
“These reforms get the balance right,” Mr Albanese told Parliament shortly before the release of the report.
“So children don’t grow up thinking sport and gambling are inextricably linked, but letting adults have a punt if they want to.”
It has been more than 1000 days since the late Labor MP Peta Murphy handed down a landmark parliamentary report on gambling reform in June 2023.
Key among her 31 recommendations was a call for a “comprehensive” ban on online gambling advertising.
It also sought to prohibit so-called “online gambling inducements and inducement advertising” and introduce more oversight through a national regulator and an ombudsman.
Independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie accused the Government of putting the commercial interests of the gambling, sporting and media companies ahead of the public interest.
“This is shameful behaviour,” he said.
“Even if implementing all 31 recommendations was too much for the Government, there is no conceivable excuse for not implementing at least the gambling advertising ban and establishing an effective national regulator.”
The timing of today’s formal response has attracted criticism, with independent MP Monique Ryan suggesting the Government was working to bury it.
“The PM has been dragged kicking and screaming to respond this report,” Dr Ryan said.
“Burying the response on the day of the federal budget is the height of political cynicism.”
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Government accused of ‘burying’ response to landmark gambling report (ABC News)
