Australian Greens Party pushes for vote on gambling ad ban

Garance Limouzy August 15, 2024

Australia’s Greens Party on a proposed ban on gambling advertising after months of debate.

The upcoming Senate vote on the Greens’ amendment will put Labor and the Coalition to the test, as the public increasingly demands stronger action against the gambling industry.

The Greens’ position

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (pictured above), the party’s spokesperson for Communications, has been vocal about the alleged influence of the gambling lobby on Australia’s major political parties. “Labor has once again caved to the gambling lobby,” Hanson-Young stated. She declared that both Labor and the Liberal Party have allowed gambling interests to dictate policy for far too long, to the detriment of Australian families. The Greens have long campaigned against the harms associated with gambling advertising, likening its effects to those of tobacco advertising, which was banned in Australia due to its severe public health impact. “Just as we banned tobacco ads because of the harm they caused, we need to do the same with gambling ads,” Hanson-Young asserted. “Gambling companies are profiting from addiction and misery, targeting our children, and devastating families. This must stop.”

Banning advertising

The proposed ban would extend to both broadcast and online platforms. Public sentiment is increasingly in favour of stronger regulation of gambling advertising, particularly given the growing concern over its impact on youth. Last week, an open letter signed by two former Australian Prime Ministers pointed at the dangers of gambling ads, noting that companies are targeting children as young as 14 through social media platforms.

Labor’s allegiances questioned

Despite these concerns, the Greens argue that Labor’s actions have consistently favoured corporate interests over public health. Hanson-Young criticised the Albanese government for its recent decisions, which she believes have undermined public interest journalism and ignored the recommendations of experts. “We can support quality journalism without resorting to gambling money,” she said, calling for alternative funding measures such as taxing big tech corporations.