Labor's Gambling Ad Laws an 'Absolute Fail,' Says Shadow Minister

Australia's opposition is fiercely criticizing the Labor government's proposed legislation on gambling advertising, with Shadow Regional Communications Minister Anne Webster labeling the bill an "absolute fail." Webster argues that the current draft has "plenty of deficiencies" and will not prevent gambling ads from appearing during children's primetime television or in the crucial minutes before sporting events.

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plenty of deficiencies

Webster expressed concern that the bill could inadvertently worsen the situation, stating, "If gambling ads are going to increase because of this bill, that's a fail, an absolute fail." The government faces a challenge in passing the bill through the Senate, requiring support from either the Greens or the Coalition, both of whom have voiced significant reservations.

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This bill that the Labor government are wanting to introduce fails to stop the current state of play, so to speak, happening. And ads will continue in children's primetime TV. They will continue right up to five minutes before the game. They'll be able to do gambling ads when there's a goal scored, which currently does not exist.

Meanwhile, Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan is pushing back against the government's energy policy for data centers. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has reiterated that new data centers must provide their own additional renewable energy. Tehan, however, advocates for a "technology agnostic" approach, arguing that restricting energy sources to wind and solar leads to energy scarcity and drives up prices. He believes allowing data centers to use any energy source would foster investment and ensure energy abundance, putting downward pressure on costs.

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Will this bill make it better or worse? It will make it worse. If gambling ads are going to increase because of this bill, that's a fail, an absolute fail.