The Coalition and Labor have come together to pass this gambling legislation. Someone who is not happy with the deal is Queensland Liberal Senator Paul Scarr, who is set to cross the floor in the Senate, voting against his party alongside senators such as David Pocock.
Paul Scarr, thanks for joining us.
Senator Paul Scarr:
Good to be with you, Raff.
Host:
Why are you unhappy with this deal?
Senator Scarr:
Well, Raff, I simply don’t think the deal goes far enough in addressing the harmful impact of gambling advertising, especially on young people and children.
I don’t think it goes far enough in relation to gambling inducements. The evidence shows that inducements are used in a predatory way to lure young people into gambling more often, gambling more heavily, and ultimately experiencing gambling harm.
I also don’t believe the checks and balances are strong enough, including the review of the impact of these reforms after three years.
Let me give you one example. State of Origin is the biggest sporting event on the calendar in my home state of Queensland. It kicks off at 8:05pm. There are restrictions on gambling advertising until 8:30pm, but because halftime occurs after 8:30pm, there are effectively no restrictions during that break.
The bill contains an absurd provision stating that advertising is not considered to be associated with live sport during scheduled or unscheduled breaks after 8:30pm. As a young boy, I would stay up to watch State of Origin, and the reality is that millions of children will still be exposed to gambling advertising even after this legislation passes.
Host:
Do you think the Coalition and Labor have sold out to the gambling companies?
Senator Scarr:
I’d rather not use those terms, Raff.
I stayed up last night working through the legislation and amendments. As I said yesterday, I wanted to carefully review the details before making a decision.
When you examine the legislation closely, you can clearly see its weaknesses. There are significant gaps and shortcomings.
Host:
I know you don’t want to speculate about the motives of your colleagues, but many listeners don’t understand why Labor and the Coalition have reached this agreement.
Let’s listen to what your shadow minister, Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson, said earlier.
Sarah Henderson:
We did have to drag the Prime Minister and the Communications Minister kicking and screaming to the table, but to be fair, we’ve had constructive discussions.
Host:
Paul, I guess Senator Henderson’s argument is that you’re allowing the perfect to become the enemy of the good. She says the Coalition secured substantial concessions from the Government. Is she right?
Senator Scarr:
There were concessions, Raff. There were improvements made.
But I’m not prepared to let the good become the enemy of addressing the bad either.
I simply don’t think those concessions are adequate. Using State of Origin as an example, and the same applies to major AFL matches, once the clock passes 8:30pm there will still be millions of children watching. At that point, gambling advertising is essentially unrestricted.
That is not good enough.
Host:
There’s also an opt-out mechanism. While it’s still not entirely clear how it will work, the idea is that people can choose to block gambling advertising on social media. Do you think that will be effective?
Senator Scarr:
That only addresses social media advertising.
My major concern remains free-to-air television broadcasts of live sport.
Personally, I believe the system should be opt-in rather than opt-out. The industry doesn’t want that because they know far fewer people would actively opt in.
Host:
So are politicians putting the industry ahead of the community?
Senator Scarr:
I think this legislation does not do enough to protect people who are vulnerable to gambling harm.
Having read the submissions from the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare, Relationships Australia, Financial Counselling Australia, Suicide Prevention Australia, psychiatrists, doctors and addiction experts, I believe we should have listened more closely to those voices than to the gambling industry.
Host:
So why didn’t they?
Senator Scarr:
That’s a question others will need to answer for themselves.
We’re dealing with significant commercial interests and substantial revenue streams.
My concern is that when people review this legislation three years from now, as required, there will be tens of thousands of Australians who have experienced gambling harm because these laws were simply not strong enough.
Host:
You sound frustrated.
Senator Scarr:
I’m disappointed, Raff.
The more closely I examined the legislation, the more concerned I became about its weaknesses.
I spoke with Tim Costello last night to get his view. I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
We discussed issues such as the 14-day cooling-off period on inducements. Tim’s response was simple: “What do you think happens on day 15?” There will simply be another flood of inducements.
I think Parliament had an opportunity here. The Murphy Report received unanimous support from parliamentarians of different political backgrounds, including independents.
That report recommended banning inducements and ultimately eliminating gambling advertising to protect children and young people.
Instead, we’ve ended up with legislation that contains significant loopholes. Frankly, you could drive a bus through some of them.
So yes, I’m disappointed, and I’ll be voting accordingly today.
Host:
Paul Scarr, you’re an LNP senator from Queensland. Do you get into trouble for crossing the floor and voting against your party?
Senator Scarr:
Raff, in my seven years in Parliament I’ve only crossed the floor twice.
The first occasion was on the censure motion against Pauline Hanson because I understand the damage her comments caused in multicultural communities.
This will be the second time.
My view is that I want to stand alongside organisations such as St Vincent de Paul, Anglicare and the Salvation Army. They’re the groups dealing with the consequences of gambling harm every day. They’re at the coalface, helping people rebuild their lives.
I’ve listened carefully to their concerns, and their voices are powerful and persuasive.
That’s why I’ll be voting the way I am today.
Host:
Thanks very much for joining us.
Senator Scarr:
Thanks, Raff.
