QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Ms WELLS (Lilley—Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications) (14:17): I thank the member for Menzies for his question. The Albanese government last night secured the passage through the parliament of a practical, enforceable and balanced package of gambling reforms, the most significant in Australia's history. But the story does not start there.
Tomorrow, 21 August, marks three years since BetStop, the national self-exclusion register was launched by the former minister for communications, the member for Greenway. BetStop has made a real and measurable difference to the lives of people at risk of gambling harm. Since its launch, there have been more than 67,000 registrations of BetStop, and, of these, 38 per cent have registered for a lifetime ban.
Recognising the critical role this service plays, the Albanese government will further strengthen BetStop to ensure those who need it cannot open a betting account, place a bet or receive any direct marketing from gambling companies. The costs of strengthening BetStop, including raising awareness of the register, will be recovered from gambling companies. This is just one part of a comprehensive package of measures that puts in place additional protections for vulnerable Australians, including new restrictions on inducements for people at the juncture of risk of gambling harm.
Gambling companies will be required to monitor and identify vulnerable people. However, we won't be letting them check their own homework. The government will work with ACMA to develop a set of indicators enforced by legislative instrument, developed through consultation and with technical expertise to ensure no-one falls through the cracks.
Our reforms include protections for people at risk of or experiencing gambling harms. They also reduce children's exposure to gambling advertising. Aussie kids should be able to follow their favourite team without gambling being stitched into the experience, whether they are watching on a screen or in the stands.
That's why we have banned gambling advertising on jerseys and in stadiums, and banned gambling ads during school drop-off and pick-up, along with restrictions during live sporting coverage of events, starting 15 minutes before and ending five minutes after a live sporting event between 5 am and 8:30 pm. Our historic reforms also crack down on illegal gambling operators, regulate trade promotions and ban online keno pocket pokies and foreign match lotteries.
Foreign match lottery companies compete with Australian based lotteries that create business and support our newsagents. Our Australian based lotteries are also integral in supporting local charities. As the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association said, banning foreign matched lotteries is a win for these businesses that employ more than 20,000 people and are often a hub in many regional and rural communities.
We are proud our reforms are supporting these businesses. All of these measures will be reviewed in three years time at length by government and will deliver balanced and meaningful change. The Albanese government has listened to parents, sports fans, gambling harm reduction advocates, broadcasters, charities and industries to pass these historic reforms.