Question to the Prime Minister - When will he take action on Gambling Reform? - 22 August 2024
This is a question for the Prime Minister. A mum from Curtin told me that yesterday her 15-year-old son said that he's decided to take up sports gambling as a side hustle because it's easy money. Our committee inquiry contained 31 recommendations to reduce harm from predatory online gambling companies. Fourteen months later, only one recommendation—banning ads—is even being discussed. Will the government respond to the other 30 recommendations before the next election?
Mr ALBANESE: I thank the member for Curtin for her question and for her genuine interest in what is a major issue concerning mums and dads and families right around the country. They are concerned about the impact that a whole range of media can have, whether it's gambling advertising or whether it's the sort of media that sometimes pops up on people's mobile phones. There are a range of issues with social media causing a great deal of concern about the harm that can be caused.
In two years, we have done more than any government in Australian history with regard to tackling this and recognising that gambling can do harm, including gambling advertising. We have said there is more to do. We will do more. We will continue to work with the crossbench and others in this chamber on these issues in a constructive way. I thank the member for Curtin and others for the way that they have engaged in this process.