Gambling Advertisement 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety
Anger is bubbling at the viewed hypocrisy of being banned from social media to reduce harm, but still being able to be targeted by gambling ads.
Community supporters, Labor backbenchers, coalition and crossbench MPs and even the gaming lobby have actually lamented the federal government for not acting on gambling marketing, two years after a landmark report into gambling damage.
Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary buddies of betting damage minimisation group, implicated Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge tune and dance over kid safety when banning them from social media, but refraining from doing anything to stop them being bombarded with gambling ads on other platforms.
"The prime minister wishes to ban teenagers from social networks in the name of child safety, yet he declines to confront the betting industry that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy told AAP.
"Australians must ask why the prime minister has this double standard."
The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is demanding action on the concern and has actually required a conscience vote on reforms to guarantee they pass in a timely manner.
There are rumours Communications Minister Anika Wells is dealing with a reform package to be unveiled before March.
The accusations of a go-slow on gambling damage reform have actually stimulated aggravations from Labor as the spotlight is again shone on its failure to implement the key suggestion of phasing out online gaming marketing.
A visibly irritated prime minister rapidly closed down a question from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if relentless gaming marketing was acceptable, using a terse "No" in reply.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was equally terse on early morning radio, accusing the host of being "obsessed about the gambling marketing" when asked about a lack of action and the link in between gaming damage and domestic violence.
Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed more financing for a domestic violence hotline however was asked about frustrations concerning the government stopping working to respond to 31 suggestions from a landmark gambling damage query two years later.
Alcohol and drugs, problem gambling and online misogyny were all important aspects that required to be dealt with, she informed ABC radio on Tuesday.
"Will continue to work to address this as an issue but it's not the only concern when it concerns family, domestic and sexual violence," she said.
The social services department is called as the lead agency responsible for over half of the suggestions, consisting of developing an extensive online gaming damage decrease strategy.
Even the gaming lobby has revealed aggravations about the lack of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on advertising limits and restrictions.
It has likewise stated it desired to keep online marketing, including on social networks and streaming services, however it would only be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it doesn't target kids, and there would be an opt-out mechanism.