Interactive Gambling Amendment (Gambling Reform) Bill 2026, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Amendment Bill 2026, Interactive Gambling (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2026

Senator CHISHOLM (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Assistant Minister for Resources and Deputy Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (19:12): No, I don't believe that's the case, Senator Pocock, and it's always very difficult to respond to questions like that when you haven't seen the transcript and the words and the context in which those claims have been made.

But illegal onshore gambling is a serious concern. That's why this bill strengthens ACMA powers to disrupt illegal operators and block access to unlawful services. Australians should not be denied important consumer protections simply because illegal operators ignore Australian law.

This bill strengthens protections in the regulated market while also making it harder for illegal operators to target Australians at the same time. So we obviously believe, as part of these important reforms, that targeting illegal offshore companies is an important part of that, and I do believe it is of concern to many Australians as well.