Media release - Albanese Labor Government’s Broken Promise to tackle gambling advertising

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Western Sydney
Federal Member for Lindsay

31 January 2025

Albanese Labor Government’s Broken Promise to tackle gambling advertising

Media reports today stating the Albanese Labor Government is breaking its commitment to the Australian people to curb gambling advertising, means that Labor will go to the election with no policy on addressing gambling harm.

It has been almost two years since the Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton announced under a Coalition Government, gambling ads for live sport will be banned one hour before, during and one hour after the broadcast.

Just last year, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the Parliament that “the government has made it very clear that the status quo regarding the saturation of gambling advertising, particularly where children are exposed to it, is untenable.” He has walked both sides of the street on this issue and Australians just don’t know what he stands for.

“Over the last two years since the Opposition Leader’s announcement, the Prime Minister has been unable to make a stand on gambling advertising, despite a Labor-led report calling for it, pressure from his own backbench, the teals, and advocacy groups,” said Melissa McIntosh, Shadow Minister for Communications.

“This isn’t the first issue the Prime Minister has been either slow to act on, or not acted on at all. He now has two sitting weeks to show some courage and conviction, and take a stand on gambling harm.

“The Coalition’s ban on advertising during live sport, means that families enjoying their favourite sporting event won’t be subject to gambling advertising. Our decision was to protect Australian children.

“If the Prime Minister can’t come up with his own policy, the Coalition already has one the Albanese Labor Government could implement before the end of this parliamentary term.

“The Australian people are right to be disappointed the Albanese Labor Government isn’t prioritising gambling harm as an important issue. They are not only two years behind the curve, they aren’t even on the field.”