Australian independent senator David Pocock is pushing for an inquiry into the influence of the gambling industry over government policy. The move seeks to explore “the extent and the appropriateness” of this perceived influence at a time in which the Labor government faces pressure to ban betting ads.
In addition to exploring the influence over government decision-making in relationship to online gambling reform, Pocock’s probe would look at the industry’s influence over the government’s response to a landmark gambling harm inquiry. Chaired by late Labor MP Peta Murphy, this inquiry recommended an advertising phase-out.
Senator Pocock will make the referral to a Senate committee on Wednesday and have it reported back by February 25, reports the Australian Associated Press. It was “pretty astonishing” no action had been taken after the Murphy review was unanimously backed across parliament with no dissenting remarks, he told ABC radio on Tuesday.
The ACT independent will push to have the government explain a Senate order to disclose all records of interaction between the prime minister and the NRL and AFL related to online gambling reform. He questioned why the meetings were discovered under a freedom of information request but not in an order for the production of the documents in the Senate.
His referral on Wednesday will come on the same day the Greens will push a private senator’s bill to ban gambling advertising on digital platforms, before and after sports broadcasts, and during kids’ programs. Ads will be capped at two per television program under the Greens proposal, which is a watered-down version of a total ban they’re calling for but in line with Labor’s previous policy.
Gambling industry body Responsible Wagering Australia is against a blanket online ad ban, warning it would push bettors to offshore and unregulated sites. It instead suggests “reducing children’s and vulnerable groups’ exposure to gambling advertising” and ensuring sports and broadcasters who rely on the ad revenue aren’t harmed, CEO Kai Cantwell told AAP.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/02/04/94072-australian-senator-pushes-for-inquiry-into-influence-of-gambling-industry-over-govt-policy
