Communications Minister Anika Wells will have to rework elements of Labor’s gambling reform package after the Coalition joined the Greens in declaring it would vote against the proposed laws in the Senate. Source: The Australian.
The mooted legislation bans wagering promotions on team uniforms and inside stadiums but anti-gambling advocates want a blanket ad ban and prohibitions on betting inducements.
In a statement released yesterday, opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said the bill was “riddled with deficiencies” and was evidence of the government’s failure to take gambling-related harms seriously.
Senator Henderson and Ms Wells met to discuss the reforms yesterday afternoon.
Listed among Senator Henderson’s key concerns were betting inducements, which fall outside Labor’s bill. Saying such promotions inflict “immeasurable harm”, she called for legislative action to curb predatory practices on vulnerable punters.
Senator Henderson also condemned measures allowing up to three gambling commercials to be aired an hour during children’s television as “untenable” and criticised plans to soften existing broadcast restrictions by permitting digital platforms to air ads during scheduled and unscheduled breaks under a yet-to-be-tested “triple-lock” system.
Senator Henderson confirmed the Coalition would vote against the bill in its current form.
Senator Henderson’s comments come after Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young on Tuesday lashed the legislation as “dangerous”, claiming it was weaker than existing protections.
With a path to pass Labor’s laws appearing increasingly unlikely in recent weeks, federal bureaucrats on Tuesday told a Senate inquiry examining the proposed laws that they were in discussions with Ms Wells’ office about potential amendments.
FULL STORY
Wells to rework gambling reforms as Coalition, Greens unite to block bill (By Jack Quail, The Australian)
