Gambling Ad 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety
Anger is bubbling at the perceived hypocrisy of teens being prohibited from social networks to minimize damage, however still being able to be targeted by betting advertisements.
Community supporters, Labor backbenchers, coalition and crossbench MPs and even the betting lobby have regreted the federal government for not acting on betting advertising, two years after a landmark report into gambling harm.
Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary friends of gambling damage minimisation group, accused Labor of hypocrisy for making such a big tune and dance over kid security 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 prohibit teens from social networks in the name of child safety, yet he refuses to challenge the gaming market that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy told AAP.
"Australians must 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 problem and has required a conscience vote on reforms to ensure they pass in a timely way.
There are rumours Communications Minister Anika Wells is working on a reform plan to be unveiled before March.
The allegations of a go-slow on gambling damage reform have stimulated frustrations from Labor as the spotlight is once again shone on its failure to implement the essential recommendation of phasing out online betting marketing.
A noticeably inflamed prime minister rapidly closed down a concern from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if relentless gaming marketing was acceptable, offering a terse "No" in reply.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was similarly terse on early morning radio, implicating the host of being "obsessed about the gaming marketing" when asked about an absence of action and the link between betting damage and domestic violence.
Ms Plibersek on Tuesday announced more financing for a domestic violence hotline but was asked about aggravations regarding the federal government stopping working to reply to 31 recommendations from a landmark betting damage inquiry 2 years later.
Alcohol and drugs, problem gambling and online misogyny were very important elements that needed to be dealt with, she radio on Tuesday.
"Will continue to work to resolve this as an issue however it's not the only concern when it pertains to family, domestic and sexual violence," she stated.
The social services department is called as the lead company responsible for over half of the suggestions, consisting of developing a thorough online betting harm reduction method.
Even the gaming lobby has actually expressed disappointments about the absence of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on advertising limitations and limitations.
It has likewise said it wished to keep online advertising, including on social networks and streaming services, however it would just be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it does not target kids, and there would be an opt-out system.