Labor bets against major changes to gambling reforms
The communications minister acknowledged changes to the proposed gambling reforms would only be minor, despite calls from advocates for the measures to be strengthened.
The federal government is set to introduce legislation to parliament on Wednesday that would limit the number of gambling ads per hour, with all advertising during sporting events banned.
Gambling advertising on jerseys and stadiums will also be phased out over time under legislation that needs coalition or Greens support.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the industry had been consulted on the legislation but any further changes would only be minor.
“We will introduce the bill to parliament this week and the differences between the draft and the law will be obvious, but they are minor,” he told ABC Radio on Monday.
“Given that there are very deep-rooted views from all sides on this particular issue, there is nothing particularly significant that would change people’s views on the legislation.”
The federal government has been called to take further action on gambling following a 2023 report by former Labor MP Peta Murphy, which called for a complete ban on online gambling advertising.
Sunday marks three years since the Murphy review was published
Ms Wells said she wanted the laws to be passed as soon as possible so they could come into force from January.
Although the revisions were minor, the minister said the changes would still be significant.
“The pen never runs out in social policy, but this is a big and meaningful reform package,” he said.
Independent MP Monique Ryan said gambling laws were only a half-measure.
“The reality is it’s a dairy product and the government has given in. It’s listened to the gambling industry, sports broadcasters and sponsors rather than what Australians want,” he told ABC Radio.
“The legislation the government has promised will be inadequate. It will not protect young Australians from the harms of gambling.”
Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the party would aim to send the legislation for consideration by a Senate committee.
“We will push hard to fix this law, because otherwise we will again be faced with broken promises and little to protect people against the insidious dangers of online gambling,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“We already know it is failing to protect Australian families from gambling addiction because it is not implementing the recommendations of the Murphy report.”
