Coalition Senator Paul Scarr is set to cross the floor in the Senate today to vote against gambling advertising reforms.
Political reporter Ruben Spargo joins me. Ruben, explain why Paul Scarr is joining some of his Coalition colleagues in crossing the floor.
Ruben Spargo:
Trudy, put simply, he doesn’t believe these changes go far enough.
Some Coalition MPs also wanted the reforms strengthened. Pat Conaghan and Andrew Wallace joined the Greens and the crossbench to vote against the bill in the House yesterday. Andrew Wallace compared the self-regulation of inducements by betting companies to “putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank”.
Senator Scarr says he reviewed the reforms overnight ahead of the legislation being presented to the Senate today. He says he does not take the decision to cross the floor lightly.
Senator Paul Scarr:
This legislation doesn’t go far enough in terms of protecting our kids from advertising, protecting people from inducements, and ensuring there are strong statutory reviews of the outcomes of these laws.
I’ll be supporting a range of amendments being put forward by Senator David Pocock, and I can’t support the bill in its current form.
Ruben Spargo:
Here’s how the new reforms would work.
- Gambling advertisements on television would be capped at two per hour between 5am and 8:30pm from January.
- There would be a total blackout 15 minutes before and during live sporting broadcasts.
- Gambling advertisements would be banned during children’s programs.
- A new “Ad Stop” register would allow adults to opt out of receiving gambling advertising.
Labor also agreed to tighten restrictions on betting inducements and ban gambling account managers from receiving commissions after sustained pressure from stakeholders.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor was asked this morning about Coalition members crossing the floor.
Angus Taylor:
This is an emotional issue and an important issue. I think we’re getting the balance right.
I’m very pleased we’ve now got bipartisan support for this legislation. It will pass through Parliament and, most importantly, strike the right balance between allowing people to have a bet if they choose, while ensuring protections are in place for the most vulnerable.
Ruben Spargo:
Labor set aside negotiations with the crossbench and instead turned to the Coalition to secure agreements not only on gambling advertising reforms but also on NDIS legislation.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Mark Butler has criticised the Queensland Government over its resistance to joining the Thriving Kids program, a $4 billion Commonwealth initiative.
Mark Butler:
Thriving Kids is well underway. Implementation plans have been agreed with all states and territories except Queensland, which frankly needs to get its act together.
Queensland signed the foundational supports agreement. It has accepted the additional funding, which started flowing into the hospital system last month. It now needs to honour the agreement it signed. It’s a question of honour.
Ruben Spargo:
The legislation now returns to the House. From there, implementation of key elements will depend on cooperation from the states.
