Twenty-one crossbenchers have signed a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a legislated “blanket ban on ads for on-line playing”, arguing that “the reform package deal presently being mentioned with stakeholders appears designed to prioritise broadcast media sustainability over public well being considerations”.
Signatories embrace the teal independents, the Greens, Senator David Pocock, Senator Jacqui Lambie, former Labor senator Fatima Payman, Inexperienced-turned-independent Lidia Thorpe, Indi MP Helen Haines, unbiased for Clark Andrew Wilkie, Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie and Liberal MP for Bass Bridget Archer, with Archer the one present main occasion MP represented on the checklist.
Impartial MP for Curtin Kate Chaney — who sat on the committee lead by late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which known as for a blanket ban — advised Crikey there have been “folks on either side of the Home who wish to ban playing adverts however can’t converse up”.
Labor MPs Maria Vamvakinou and Louise Miller-Frost have been additionally on Murphy’s committee, and though they haven’t signed the letter, they, together with Mike Freelander and Labor’s Victorian State Gaming Minister Melissa Horne, have each known as for a ban.
Chaney stated that the federal government’s proposal, on which she and different crossbenchers have been briefed yesterday, was “extra Swiss cheese regulation” of the playing business, filled with holes and exemptions. She stated it solely addressed one of many 31 proposals put ahead by Murphy’s committee.
“It was clear whereas we have been being briefed that it was one thing on the opposite facet of the ledger, aside from public well being, deciding these reforms,” she stated. “And that factor on the opposite facet of the ledger was industrial broadcasters’ sustainability.”
Chaney stated the proof introduced to the committee overwhelmingly proved that partial bans on playing adverts don’t work.
“I requested [during the briefing] whether or not there was any new proof, and I used to be advised ‘oh properly younger individuals are all the time on-line now’, so banning it on-line was sufficient,” she stated.
Chaney stated there had been discuss of a conscience vote on the matter “although not, so far as I do know, by the individuals who truly make these choices”.
“I think about if particular person MPs the place to ask what their electorates truly needed on this house, we’d have very completely different outcomes,” she stated.
Anybody affected by downside playing can get speedy help by calling the Nationwide Playing Helpline on 1800 858 858 without spending a dime, skilled and confidential assist 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Ought to Labor permit its MPs a conscience vote on a playing advert ban? Tell us your ideas by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please embrace your full title to be thought-about for publication. We reserve the appropriate to edit for size and readability.
