Labor MPs worried Albanese government may sideline gambling reform until after election (19 Jan 2024)
Article summary: The Australian government's lack of action on gambling advertising reform is causing frustration among Labor MPs and advocates, with many fearing reforms could be delayed until after the next election. Eighteen months after the late Labor MP Peta Murphy’s report recommending a ban on online wagering ads, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not clarified whether the government will pursue these measures before the election. While Albanese highlighted the government’s history of gambling reforms, MPs like Michelle Ananda-Rajah expressed disappointment over the delay, with Ananda-Rajah commenting, “In our quest for perfection, we’ve ended up with 100% or nothing.”
Concerns are growing that introducing complex legislation in the limited sitting weeks before the election is unlikely. Advocates, including Tim Costello from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, fear the reforms are being sidelined due to vested interests, despite public support. Costello criticised the government’s inaction, stating, “[Albanese] has decided to bury it.” Independent MP Kate Chaney, who served on the inquiry, also noted a lack of visible progress, commenting, “It’s not looking good.”
Labor’s hesitation contrasts with opposition leader Peter Dutton’s earlier proposal to ban gambling ads around sports broadcasts, though the Liberals have not formally responded to the Murphy inquiry. Some Labor MPs, such as Ananda-Rajah, support moderate restrictions over an outright ban, citing concerns about practical impacts on people experiencing gambling harm. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Jenny Ware criticised the government’s inaction, labelling it a failure of priorities.
With parliament reconvening briefly in February and the election campaign looming, the window for legislative action is closing rapidly, leaving advocates and reformists questioning whether gambling harm will be addressed or continue to be deferred.
Related article: Crossbench briefed on proposed gambling ad reform (21 Aug 2024)
