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🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

Gambling reform consultation slammed as 'charade' by health experts

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Health experts have criticized the Australian federal government's consultation on gambling advertising reforms as a "charade."
  • Critics argue the consultation process was too short and lacked transparency, especially for harm reduction experts.
  • The government is proceeding with a modified version of recommendations from the Murphy inquiry, which had called for a ban on gambling advertising.

Health experts have strongly condemned the federal government's consultation process for its gambling advertising reforms, labeling it a "charade." This criticism comes as the government prepares to introduce legislation, facing mounting opposition from the Greens and crossbench MPs. Communications Minister Anika Wells unveiled draft laws in May, promising "targeted" consultation, but critics like Professor Mike Daube from Curtin University reported receiving only three days' notice and a 45-minute briefing to review the detailed proposals.

The government took three years to consider the Murphy report, but now gives us just a few days to provide comments on the draft legislation, with a 'consultation' scheduled for just 45 minutes.

— Professor Mike DaubeProfessor Mike Daube from Curtin University criticized the limited time allocated for health experts to review the draft gambling advertising reforms.

The government is advancing a diluted version of the recommendations from the landmark Murphy inquiry, which had advocated for a complete ban on gambling advertising. The current proposal still permits gambling advertisements during halftime breaks and weather delays in sports broadcasts after 8:30 p.m. Furthermore, horse, harness, and greyhound racing are to be excluded from the definition of a sporting event, allowing continued advertising for these sectors.

Professor Daube expressed dismay at the minimal input sought from harm reduction specialists and individuals with lived experience. "The government took three years to consider the Murphy report, but now gives us just a few days to provide comments on the draft legislation, with a 'consultation' scheduled for just 45 minutes," he stated. "This consultation just looks like a charade."

This consultation just looks like a charade.

— Professor Mike DaubeProfessor Mike Daube from Curtin University described the government's consultation process for gambling advertising reforms.

Public health professor Samantha Thomas from Deakin University echoed these concerns, describing the process as marred by "poor consultation" and a "lack of transparency." She noted that "key details remain unclear, and significant questions cannot be answered." Both professors highlighted that they were not invited to a crucial briefing session until days before it occurred, and were unaware the draft legislation had been published online. The government has since granted an extension for written submissions following Professor Thomas's request for more time.

Key details remain unclear, and significant questions cannot be answered.

— Professor Samantha ThomasProfessor Samantha Thomas from Deakin University pointed out the lack of clarity and transparency in the government's proposed gambling reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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