‘How can it be?’ Church leader turns Albanese’s words against him

The Albanese government’s crackdown on gambling advertising has been met with criticism from church leaders, child advocates, and broadcasters. The Senate inquiry into Labor’s laws highlights a fundamental question: what kind of society do we want to be?

Anthony Albanese promised to protect children from betting advertisements, but his government’s decision to permit three gambling adverts per hour on live sport raises questions about the sincerity of that promise. Research links childhood advertising to increased risk of developing gambling problems later in life, making this level of exposure particularly concerning.

The Anglican Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant, has challenged the Prime Minister: “How can it be,” he asks, “that the Prime Minister who says he’s making sure Australian children don’t see betting ads everywhere they look still considers it acceptable for them to see three gambling adverts every hour on TV?” This is not a trivial matter – vulnerable Australians are being bombarded with advertising that preys on their vulnerabilities.

The Murphy inquiry recommended a comprehensive phase-out of gambling advertising, but Labor’s reforms have watered down this proposal. While some measures are welcome, such as banning ads on sports uniforms and celebrity endorsements, the legislation still leaves children exposed to betting advertisements during live sport – an unacceptable outcome.

Child advocates argue that Labor’s approach is only a “first step” towards protecting vulnerable Australians. They’re calling for a full ban on online gambling advertising and inducements, which would be a significant step forward in protecting those who need it most. However, even this might not be enough to mitigate the risks associated with childhood exposure to gambling advertising.

The issue goes beyond party politics or interest-group lobbying; it’s about what kind of society we want to build and whether our leaders are willing to take tough decisions to protect those who need it most. As Reverend Tim Costello noted, “we wouldn’t accept capping cigarette ads shown to children to three per hour so why would we say it’s OK for gambling ads?”

This is not just about children – it’s also about all Australians being protected from predatory advertising. The SBS and Free TV submissions highlight the unintended consequences of these reforms, which could lead to a blanket ban on wagering ads across digital services or significant compliance costs for online platforms.

The Albanese government has an opportunity to show that they’re committed to protecting vulnerable Australians. However, their actions so far suggest otherwise. It’s time for them to revisit their approach and listen to the experts – not just the vested interests of big-business gambling and broadcast companies.