In a blow to anti-gambling advocates across Australia, the long-awaited government response to recommendations on gambling advertising reform has been pushed back yet again. The office of Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has admitted that progress on the legislative changes is taking “longer than hoped,” with no revised timeline available for when concrete action can be expected.
Apology Issued as Delays Take Toll
Facing mounting frustration from individuals and groups who have been harmed by the gambling industry, Minister Rowland’s office has issued an apology for the ongoing delays. In an email seen by reputable media sources, a staffer acknowledged the “ongoing toll” the lack of progress is taking on those who gave evidence at a parliamentary inquiry into online wagering over 18 months ago.
“I acknowledge the ongoing toll this is taking on you and others, and I’m personally very sorry that we have not been able to secure an outcome thus far.”
– Email from Minister Rowland’s office
The staffer noted that while Minister Rowland may have formed a view on the necessary reforms, decisions of this magnitude require the backing of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It’s a stark reminder of the complex political maneuvering that often stands in the way of swift legislative change, even when lives are at stake.
Advocates Express Dismay
For the individuals who bravely shared their stories of gambling harm at the inquiry led by the late MP Peta Murphy, the extended wait for government action is taking a serious toll. Mark Kempster, who made a submission calling for a total ban on gambling ads, expressed his dismay in an email to the minister’s office this week.
“The effect the constant delays is having on all of us who gave evidence at Peta’s inquiry is taking a massive toll on us. To wait up to 20 months for any type of response and actions surely cannot be acceptable.”
– Mark Kempster, gambling reform advocate
Chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, was even more direct in his criticism. At a press conference on Wednesday, he called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to show “backbone” and implement the recommendations of the Murphy report in full.
“Within the prime minister’s power is the opportunity to simply say, we are implementing the Murphy report. 18 months on, this is a failure…The failure to show that backbone has let Australians down.”
– Tim Costello, Alliance for Gambling Reform
Balancing Stakeholder Interests
While not offering a specific reason for the delay, the government has hinted at the complexity of balancing the interests of various stakeholders. Sports minister Anika Wells recently said that the “financial viability” of sporting codes was a factor in deciding Labor’s proposed gambling ad cap “wasn’t ready to go.”
The opposition has seized on the government’s hesitancy, with shadow communications minister David Coleman accusing the Prime Minister of being “scared” to tackle gambling reform head-on.
“He’s scared of anti-gambling advocates like Tim Costello. He’s scared of the AFL, he’s scared of the NRL. He’s scared of the media companies. So what does he do? He cowers in the corner and does nothing.”
– David Coleman, Shadow Minister for Communications
For her part, Minister Rowland insists the government is focused on “ensuring that reforms are effective and comprehensive.” Her office says they are continuing to engage with relevant stakeholders to refine the policy.
“As we have seen in the past, bad policy designs lead to bad outcomes. It is important we take the time to get these reforms right.”
– Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications
Lessons from Past Failures
There are certainly cautionary tales from Australia’s past attempts at gambling reform. The Gillard government’s poker machine pre-commitment scheme was ultimately abandoned in 2012 after a bruising political fight with the gambling industry. Any government seeking to take on this powerful lobby knows they are in for a tough battle.
But for the countless Australians whose lives have been torn apart by gambling addiction, platitudes about getting the policy settings right provide little comfort. They want definitive action to stem the tide of gambling ads that are hooking a new generation.
As the government’s self-imposed end-of-year deadline for a response slips away, the pressure will only intensify for Michelle Rowland and Anthony Albanese to match their lofty rhetoric on gambling reform with concrete action. For the sake of gambling harm survivors like Mark Kempster who summoned the courage to tell their stories, one can only hope they grasp this watershed moment before it’s too late.
