In response to questions from media about his removal from group chats, ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has confirmed that he has been removed as a member of the Parliamentary Sports Club, effective immediately, following concerns he raised about sponsorship of the club by the gambling lobby.
Senator Pocock recently brought to light the fact that lobbyists were buying access to parliamentarians by purchasing $2500 sponsorships of the Parliamentary Sports Club. It was also revealed that the Club was on the federal lobbyist register, effectively making the Prime Minister - as its President - the head of a lobbying organisation.
The club’s sponsors include the peak body for gambling companies like SportsBet, Responsible Wagering Australia, whose CEO is a regular participant in matches with parliamentarians.
Having first raised his concerns privately with the club’s Chief Executive, Senator Pocock then went public when told the club would not decide who could not have membership. He has now been removed from all group chats and told in writing that he is “not welcome to attend fixtures operated by the club.”
Senator Pocock said he was dismayed by the club’s response and their decision to remove a parliamentarian, rather than tighten the criteria of companies who can sponsor the club, or reconsider whether the parliamentary sports club should have corporate sponsors at all.
“Sport brings people together and I have loved being an active participant in the parliamentary sports club since being elected,” Senator Pocock said.
“The Parliamentary Sports Club provides a valuable opportunity to bring parliamentarians and their staff from across the political spectrum together to build positive relationships in an otherwise combative arena.
“I was shocked to learn that the Club was selling access to parliamentarians to companies and their representatives.
“Being kicked out of the club for raising concerns around gambling lobbyists buying access to the club shows the influence vested interests have here in parliament and just how normalised this has become.
“It’s no wonder we haven’t seen the action to end gambling advertising the majority of Australians are desperate to see when gambling lobbyists are calling the shots in Canberra.”