ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has slammed the Government’s response to the Murphy Review into online gambling harm, describing it as “cowardly” and “deeply disrespectful” to the Australians who are being harmed by gambling and to the vast majority of Australians who want gambling advertising banned to protect young Australians.
Senator Pocock said the timing of the announcement, released while journalists are physically locked inside Budget lock-up and national attention is focused elsewhere, demonstrated the Government knew Australians would be disappointed by the response.
“If the Government was proud of this response, it wouldn’t be trying to bury it on Budget day,” Senator Pocock said.
“This is a cowardly attempt to avoid scrutiny of a deeply inadequate response to one of the most significant public health inquiries this Parliament has seen that produced a report that had the unanimous backing of the entire parliament.”
The Government appears to be partially implementing just three of the Murphy Review’s 31 recommendations: a partial gambling advertising restriction, a national public education campaign and increased enforcement against illegal offshore gambling services.
“Even the Government’s own regulator has previously warned that partial advertising bans don’t work and can lead to more gambling advertising, yet the Government is still refusing to implement the phased, comprehensive ban recommended by the Murphy Review.”
“Meanwhile, critical recommendations have simply gone unanswered, including a ban on gambling inducements, increased funding for gambling research, nationally consistent data collection on gambling harm and suicide, and the establishment of a national gambling regulator - apparently none of these warranted a response by the Albanese Government.”
“At a time when reports suggest hundreds of BetStop breaches were unable to be penalised because investigations took too long, it’s outrageous that the Government has failed to establish a strong national regulator for this multi-billion dollar industry.”
“Instead, the Government appears content to leave the Northern Territory Racing Commission as the de facto regulator for online gambling, despite longstanding concerns about its effectiveness and independence.”
“When even recommendations like appointing a dedicated Minister for gambling harm are deemed too difficult, Australians are right to question whether this Government is serious about reducing harm.”
“These were not radical recommendations. They were basic measures aimed at improving coordination, accountability and public awareness. Rather than treating gambling as the public health issue that it is and implementing evidence-based policy, the Albanese government has yet again put vested interests ahead of Australians"