Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026
Mrs McINTOSH (Lindsay) (10:13): When it comes to gambling reform, Australians haven't just been left waiting; they've been left exposed. This government hasn't been slow; it has been completely missing in action, and delay has been the Prime Minister's policy. That's why, after three years of this delay, deflection and deception from this government, Australians were entitled to expect serious, workable reform to reduce gambling harm.
Unfortunately, the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026 does not yet meet that test. The coalition recognises the enormous toll gambling addiction can take on individuals and families. We support sensible measures to reduce gambling harm.
We support protecting children. There is nothing more important than a government's role in protecting children, and we support stronger protections for vulnerable Australians. Reform must be evidence based and carefully designed and actually work.
The coalition approaches this issue from three fundamental principles: first, Australians should have choice; second, the principle of personal responsibility; and, third, government has an obligation to protect vulnerable Australians, particularly children, from exploitation and harm. On that test, this bill in its current form has serious deficiencies. Last week, the Senate inquiry heard disturbing evidence about practices being used to target vulnerable gamblers, yet inducements are ignored by this bill.
If companies are deliberately targeting people displaying signs of problem gambling with increasingly aggressive incentives to keep betting, that deserves serious attention. There are also significant concerns about the treatment of gambling advertising around children's sport. Sport is family time.
Australians love to share time together, watching their favourite sport. It is part of our nation's joy. Children should be able to enjoy that without gambling being unnecessarily pushed into that experience.
When it comes to live sport streamed online, the existing five-minute blackout before and after live sport between 5 am and 8.30 pm would disappear for online streaming. That is not strengthening protection. In important respects, it risks weakening protections already in place.
The Prime Minister should stop pretending this government invented the ban on gambling advertising during live sport. It was the former coalition government that introduced the broadcast and online restrictions on gambling advertising around live sport in 2018, and it was the coalition that legislated BetStop the National Self-Exclusion Register. The coalition has made it clear that we cannot support this bill in its current form, but we are engaging constructively with the government to strengthen it.
Discussions are continuing between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and between the communications minister and the shadow minister. We want Australians to know that their concerns are being heard. That includes Australians harmed by gambling.
It includes parents concerned about what their children see. Every parent is concerned about that. But it also includes Australians who responsibly enjoy a bet, a Saturday at the races or buying a lottery ticket.
For the overwhelming majority, gambling is entertainment. We should not pretend that legitimate wagering and racing industries do not matter economically. Thoroughbred racing alone contributes more than $13 billion in economic activity and supports more than 100,000 jobs, with more than half of those jobs in regional Australia.
Those are trainers, breeders, jockeys, stable workers, veterinarians, transport operators and small businesses. Poorly designed legislation can have real consequences for those communities. We can protect vulnerable Australians and children while preserving choice.
The government had more than three years to get this right. Unfortunately, this bill falls short, despite all the time and pressure that they have had to make a decision. The coalition will continue negotiating in good faith to strengthen it.
We want legislation that genuinely protects vulnerable Australians, strengthens safeguards around children's sport, deals with predatory practices and preserves choice, competition and fairness. That is the reform that Australians deserve.