Arabic version: نائب عن حزب العمال يدعو إلى إجراءات أقوى لإصلاح القمار
Labor MP Mike Freelander says more must be done beyond the government’s proposed gambling reforms. According to ABC News, he described the proposed restrictions as a significant first step but insisted that much more action is required to protect Australians from gambling-related harms.
The federal government is expected to introduce its gambling legislation to parliament on Thursday, which includes limitations on gambling advertisements during specific times on television and radio, as well as an opt-out feature for online platforms. However, Freelander and other parties, including the Coalition and Greens, are advocating for amendments to strengthen these proposals.
Freelander, who is a paediatrician and also the Labor co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Reducing Gambling Harm, stated that while the recognition of the gambling problem is a positive development, the reforms must go further. He highlighted that the current proposal released in May is only a starting point.
In response to the proposed reforms, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticized them as “half-arsed” and called for a parliamentary inquiry. Meanwhile, the Coalition is discussing potential enhancements to the restrictions, including extending the ban on gambling ads during live sports broadcasts.
Communications Minister Anika Wells has warned against delaying the legislation, arguing that further inquiries could hinder timely reform. She described the reforms as “very significant” and confirmed that they would include a levy on wagering companies to fund a public awareness campaign for BetStop, the national gambling self-exclusion register.
Independent senator David Pocock has also proposed amendments that align with earlier recommendations, advocating for a complete ban on gambling ads across all platforms within three years. He expressed concern that Labor’s current draft proposal would not protect Australians, including children, from the harms of gambling advertising.
