Gambling Ad 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety

Anger is bubbling at the perceived hypocrisy of teenagers being banned from social networks to decrease harm, but still having the ability to be targeted by gambling advertisements.


Community supporters, Labor backbenchers, union and crossbench MPs and even the gaming lobby have lamented the federal government for not acting on gambling advertising, two years after a landmark report into gambling damage.


Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary good friends of betting damage minimisation group, accused Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge tune and dance over child safety when prohibiting them from social networks, but refraining from doing anything to stop them being bombarded with gambling advertisements on other platforms.


"The prime minister wishes to prohibit teenagers from social media in the name of child safety, yet he refuses to face the gaming market that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy told AAP.


"Australians ought to ask why the prime minister has this double standard."


The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is requiring action on the problem and has actually called for a conscience vote on reforms to guarantee they pass in a timely manner.


There are rumours Communications Minister Anika Wells is working on a reform plan to be revealed before March.


The accusations of a go-slow on gambling damage reform have stimulated disappointments from Labor as the spotlight is once again shone on its failure to execute the essential recommendation of phasing out online gaming advertising.


A noticeably inflamed prime minister quickly shut down a question from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if ruthless gaming advertising was appropriate, offering a terse "No" in reply.


Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was equally terse on morning radio, accusing the host of being "consumed about the gaming marketing" when inquired about a lack of action and the link between gaming harm and domestic violence.


Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed more financing for a domestic violence hotline but was inquired about frustrations regarding the federal government working to respond to 31 suggestions from a landmark gaming harm query 2 years later.


Alcohol and drugs, issue gambling and online misogyny were very important elements that required to be attended to, she told ABC radio on Tuesday.


"Will continue to work to address this as a problem but it's not the only problem when it comes to family, domestic and sexual violence," she said.


The social services department is named as the lead company responsible for more than half of the suggestions, including establishing a comprehensive online gaming harm decrease strategy.


Even the gaming lobby has actually expressed frustrations about the absence of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on marketing limits and constraints.


It has likewise stated it wanted to keep online advertising, consisting of on social networks and streaming services, however it would just be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it doesn't target kids, and there would be an opt-out mechanism.