By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Parliamentarians Push for Comprehensive Ban on Gambling Ads Amid Growing Calls for Free Vote
A coalition of 21 parliamentarians, including Liberal MP Bridget Archer and former Labor Senator Fatima Payman, is advocating for a total ban on gambling advertisements, challenging the government to take decisive action. This push has ignited a broader debate, with independent MPs urging a free vote on the issue.
The group, composed of Greens, teal MPs, lower house independents, and senators like Jacqui Lambie, David Pocock, and Lidia Thorpe, has signed a letter calling for a "blanket ban on advertisements for online gambling." The letter acknowledges the financial difficulties media companies may face but emphasizes the need for a "broader discussion" on supporting journalism, warning that a partial ban on gambling ads is unlikely to gain public support.
This stance puts Archer at odds with opposition leader Peter Dutton, who has supported a ban on gambling ads during sports matches and within an hour before and after, but has remained non committal on a total ban. Separately, MPs Andrew Wilkie and Rebekha Sharkie have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Dutton, urging a free vote on the issue, arguing that gambling is a matter of "faith and morality" for some.
Independent MP Kate Chaney, a member of the parliamentary inquiry that recommended a total ban, has indicated that some government members may support a conscience vote on the issue. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been consulting on a proposal to ban gambling ads online, during children's programming, and around live sports broadcasts, with limits on general TV programming. However, this policy has yet to receive cabinet or caucus approval.
The Albanese government is facing growing pressure from backbench MPs, including Louise Miller Frost, Mike Freelander, and Jodie Belyea, who are advocating for a total ban. Sharkie noted that the proposal aligns with the views of many Labor MPs, who risk being "banished" from the party if they cross the floor.
Wilkie revealed that numerous backbenchers in both the government and opposition are uneasy with the current direction and want to voice their concerns. The government argues that it seeks a balanced approach to avoid unintended consequences, such as revenue loss for media companies and the migration of gambling offshore via the internet.
Sharkie has accused Labor of echoing "talking points" from gambling companies, while Wilkie criticized the party for prioritizing the financial stability of media companies over child safety. Chaney warned that the discipline imposed by major parties could result in decisions that don't reflect community desires, leaving MPs "too scared of broadcast media."
Chaney also emphasized that there is no new evidence suggesting that a partial ban would be effective, arguing that existing partial bans have failed. She expressed disappointment in the government's lack of urgency and criticized the complexity of the proposed package, which she believes is overly focused on protecting broadcast media rather than public health.
On Tuesday, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians publicly supported a total ban. Stewart Kenny, co founder and former CEO of gambling company Paddy Power, echoed this sentiment, stating that a total ban is necessary to protect children, while a partial ban would only protect bookmakers' profits.
In response to these growing calls, Rowland defended the government's approach in question time, asserting that Labor is standing up to powerful vested interests that resist change. She outlined the government's goals: to break the normalization of gambling in sports, protect children, and reduce the saturation of gambling ads targeting vulnerable young men aged 18 to 35.
Despite the push from the crossbench for a conscience vote, many Labor MPs remain skeptical about its effectiveness. Freelander, who supports a total ban, stated that the best solution is for the government to adopt a clear position in line with the committee's recommendation.
