Gambling Advertisement 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety
Anger is bubbling at the viewed hypocrisy of teenagers being banned from social media to minimize harm, however still being able to be targeted by betting advertisements.
Community advocates, Labor backbenchers, union and crossbench MPs and even the gambling lobby have regreted the federal government for not doing something about it on betting advertising, two years after a landmark report into betting harm.
Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary good friends of betting harm minimisation group, implicated Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge tune and dance over kid security when prohibiting them from social media, however not doing anything to stop them being bombarded with betting advertisements on other platforms.
"The prime minister wants to ban teenagers from social networks in the name of kid security, yet he refuses to face the gambling industry that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy informed AAP.
"Australians ought to ask why the prime minister has this double requirement."
The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is demanding action on the issue and has called for a conscience vote on reforms to ensure they pass in a prompt way.
There are rumours Communications Minister Anika Wells is dealing with a reform bundle to be revealed before March.
The allegations of a go-slow on betting harm reform have actually spurred frustrations from Labor as the spotlight is once again shone on its failure to execute the crucial recommendation of phasing out online gambling advertising.
A visibly inflamed prime minister rapidly shut down a question from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if unrelenting gaming marketing was appropriate, providing a terse "No" in reply.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was equally terse on early morning radio, implicating the host of being "obsessed about the gambling advertising" when asked about an absence of action and the link between gambling harm and domestic violence.
Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed more funding for a domestic violence hotline but was asked about aggravations regarding the government stopping working to respond to 31 recommendations from a landmark gambling damage questions 2 years later.
Alcohol and drugs, issue gambling and online misogyny were all essential elements that needed to be dealt with, she told ABC radio on Tuesday.
"Will continue to work to resolve this as a problem however it's not the only issue when it comes to household, domestic and sexual violence," she stated.
The social services is named as the lead firm responsible for majority of the recommendations, consisting of developing a comprehensive online betting damage decrease technique.
Even the gaming lobby has actually revealed frustrations about the lack of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on advertising limits and limitations.
It has also stated it wished to keep online advertising, consisting of on social networks and streaming services, but it would just be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it doesn't target kids, and there would be an opt-out system.