Gambling Advertisement 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety
Anger is bubbling at the perceived hypocrisy of teenagers being banned from social media to decrease harm, however still being able to be targeted by gambling advertisements.
Community supporters, Labor backbenchers, union and crossbench MPs and even the gambling lobby have lamented the federal government for not acting on betting advertising, two years after a landmark report into harm.
Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary friends of betting harm minimisation group, accused Labor of hypocrisy for making such a big tune and dance over child security when banning them from social media, but refraining from doing anything to stop them being bombarded with betting ads on other platforms.
"The prime minister wishes to ban teens from social media in the name of child security, yet he declines to confront the gambling market that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy informed AAP.
"Australians need 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 concern 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 revealed before March.
The allegations of a go-slow on betting damage reform have stimulated disappointments from Labor as the spotlight is once again shone on its failure to carry out the essential suggestion of phasing out online gambling marketing.
A noticeably irritated prime minister quickly shut down a question from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if unrelenting betting advertising was acceptable, providing a terse "No" in reply.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was equally terse on early morning radio, accusing the host of being "consumed about the betting advertising" when asked about an absence of action and the link between betting damage and domestic violence.
Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed more financing for a domestic violence hotline however was asked about disappointments regarding the federal government stopping working to reply to 31 suggestions from a landmark betting harm questions two years later.
Alcohol and drugs, problem gambling and online misogyny were very important elements 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 company responsible for more than half of the recommendations, consisting of developing a thorough online betting harm decrease technique.
Even the betting lobby has actually revealed disappointments about the absence of certainty over reforms, floating their own compromises on advertising limitations and constraints.
It has likewise said it desired to keep online advertising, including on social networks and streaming services, but it would only be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it does not target kids, and there would be an opt-out system.