Gambling Ad 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety

Anger is bubbling at the viewed hypocrisy of teens being banned from social media to minimize damage, but still having the ability to be targeted by gambling advertisements.


Community supporters, Labor backbenchers, coalition and crossbench MPs and even the gaming lobby have lamented the federal government for not acting on gambling advertising, two years after a landmark report into gambling harm.


Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary friends of gambling harm minimisation group, implicated Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge tune and dance over kid safety when prohibiting them from social media, but not doing anything to stop them being bombarded with gambling advertisements on other platforms.


"The prime minister wishes to prohibit teens from social networks in the name of child safety, yet he refuses to face the gaming market that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy informed AAP.


"Australians should ask why the prime minister has this double requirement."


The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is requiring action on the issue and has actually called for 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 bundle to be unveiled before March.


The accusations of a go-slow on gambling harm reform have actually stimulated frustrations from Labor as the spotlight is again shone on its failure to carry out the essential recommendation of phasing out online gambling marketing.


A noticeably inflamed prime minister rapidly shut down a question from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if ruthless gambling advertising was acceptable, using a terse "No" in reply.


Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was similarly terse on early morning radio, the host of being "consumed about the betting advertising" when asked about a lack of action and the link in between betting harm and domestic violence.


Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed more funding for a domestic violence hotline however was inquired about frustrations regarding the federal government stopping working to respond to 31 suggestions from a landmark gaming damage query 2 years later.


Alcohol and drugs, problem betting and online misogyny were very important factors that required to be dealt with, she told ABC radio on Tuesday.


"Will continue to work to address this as a problem but it's not the only problem when it pertains to household, domestic and sexual violence," she said.


The social services department is named as the lead agency accountable for majority of the suggestions, consisting of establishing a thorough online gambling damage reduction strategy.


Even the betting lobby has expressed aggravations about the lack of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on advertising limitations and constraints.


It has likewise said it wished to keep online advertising, consisting of on social media and streaming services, but it would just be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it does not target kids, and there would be an opt-out mechanism.