Labor lashed over gambling ad inaction

The Albanese government has been accused of “a cowardly and craven capitulation” after it confirmed it was scrapping plans to pursue gambling ad reforms, which was a key recommendation in a landmark report by late Labor MP Peta Murphy.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt confirmed the government would not be pursuing the long-touted reforms, and said Labor would continue to consult on the laws.

“This is a very difficult and complex piece of work that simply cannot be finalised in the remaining week that we have of parliament this year,” he told reporters on Sunday.

“There’s an awful lot on the government’s agenda to pass this week – cost of living, support, housing relief, a range of bills to keep Australians safe, including our social media reforms – that’s going to be our focus as we continue to consult on the gambling reforms.”

The next available opportunity for parliament to debate the laws will be in February, however this could be delayed if Anthony Albanese chooses to call the federal election in January, which will push parliament into caretaker mode.

The Coalition has weaponised the delay, with Peter Dutton lashing Labor for its inaction.

“This is a cowardly and craven capitulation – and just shows this government can’t get the big calls right,” he said.

“This is a government that is lurching from one disaster to the next and limping to the next election.

“This prime minister is weak on national security, weak on the economy, and weak on leadership.”

Coalition’s communication spokesman David Coleman gave an equally spirited take-down of Labor, echoing Mr Dutton’s lines of Labor being a “weak” government.

“The end of the year is coming, not with a bang but with a whimper,” he said.

“We have seen the prime minister leak to the media his craven inaction on gambling advertising, and we see a whole range of other legislation that is just all over the place.

“People have to ask the question: what is the point of the Albanese government? What do they stand for?”

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young also demanded urgent action, however has called for a complete ban of gambling ads on all channels, including print and online media, television, and radio.

“We know with the parliament has been through a number of inquiries in relation to gambling, the harm that is done to Australian families every year because of gambling addiction is extraordinary,” she told the ABC.

“We are the biggest losers in Australia when it comes to gambling loss in the world. That is that needs to be tackled.”

Ms Murphy’s 2023 report, You Win Some, You Lose More, found gambling advertising was grooming children and young people to gamble and said the ads were “inescapable”.

Among its 31 recommendations was a total ban on gambling ads and inducements like multis and bonus bets which would have been phased in over three years.

Labor eyes housing battle

Senator Watt said the government will aim to ambitiously pass about 30 pieces of legislation in its final sitting week for 2024, including the maligned Help to Buy shared ownership scheme which was road blocked by the Greens and Coalition.

Under the policy, 40,000 homeowners would be able to buy a property with the government owning an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new builds, and 30 per cent for existing homes.

The Greens have said the policy could push up the cost of homes amid a housing supply and argue it would only help a small number of prospective homeowners.

In September the minor party delayed a vote on the Bill in order to further negotiate, however it’s understood it has yet to reach a deal with Labor.