The Greens have slammed Labor's capitulation to the gambling lobby by reportedly dropping plans for an online ad ban, saying it will leave families to the "gambling industry vultures".
Reports today say the Prime Minister has taken responsibility for the decision from the Communications Minister - in a similar approach to his interventions on the EPBC, climate, and the salmon farming industry, among others.
When Parliament returns on Monday, the Senate will debate and vote on Senator Hanson-Young's referral of gambling advertising to the Senate's Environment and Communications Reference Committee.
This vote will be a key opportunity for Labor backbenchers and Coalition senators to show they're willing to oppose to gambling industry lobbying - and back their communities, over gambling corporation profit.
As stated by Greens Communications spokesperson, Sen. Sarah Hanson-Young:
"This is a devastating capitulation of the government to the gambling lobby. It ignores the major recommendations from the Murphy report and is a slap in the face to the many families who have lost loved ones to gambling addiction," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"The Government has gone soft on the online gambling and tech companies, at the expense of the wellbeing and safety of Australians.
"The PM has refused to stare down the vested interests that have been making massive profits and money from the harm and addiction of vulnerable Australians.
"Online gambling is growing and sucking billions of dollars out of the pockets of Australians, ruining families and harming our community, all for their own greedy, selfish profit.
"Going soft on banning digital and online advertising will leave families vulnerable to the gambling industry vultures.
"It's a pathetic display of gutlessness from the Labor government who should do better and are letting Australian families down.
"We need a full ban on gambling advertising as recommended in the Murphy Report, just as we banned the advertising of tobacco.
"When the Senate returns on Monday, Labor and Liberal senators will have an opportunity to show some courage and conviction by backing my move to bring a gambling ad ban closer."
