Australian minister admits a national gambling regulator is “not in discussions”

Australia’s social services minister Amanda Rishworth has conceded there are currently no discussions taking place over a national gambling regulator being implemented Down Under.

Speaking on the Sky News Sunday Agenda show, Rishworth said the introduction of a national regulator in Australia would require a centralisation of power away from states and territories.

She explained the discussions taking place currently involve how states and territories could work better together but talks would stop short of a single, national regulator.

Rishworth’s comments suggest a number of the requests made by the late Peta Murphy, made as a Labour MP in the summer of 2023, are not expected to come to fruition any time soon.

Murphy’s 31-point pan included the establishment of a regulator with a “broad suite of powers”, including the ability to hand out severe penalties.

Rishworth continued: “Firstly, I would say that 21 of the [31] recommendations involved in the Peta Murphy report directly impact states and territories and involve states and territories, because there is joint responsibility. 

“Obviously, any national regulator would involve states and territories handing over their powers to the Commonwealth. I’m working very closely with my state and territory counterparts to look at what we can do in a coordinated fashion.”

After appearing reluctant to directly address whether a national regulator is something the Labour Party are working on, Rishworth was pressed for comment and shed further light on the government’s stance.

“At this point, [a national regulator] is not in the discussions with states and territories. What is in the discussion with states and territories is around how we better coordinate and move forward and have a unified effort when it comes to harm minimisation,” the minister added.

“When it comes to online gambling rather, we are absolutely committed to working with the states and territories. The framework matters, and that’s what I’ll continue to work with my state counterparts.”

Rishworth’s comments come as the Albanese government is reported to be on the cusp of announcing its proposals to tackle gambling-related harm. 

It is expected the government, alongside snubbing the idea of a national regulator, will enforce a cap on betting advertisements, where all gambling ads will be banned online, during live sports broadcasts and an hour either side, but then limited to two per hour during general TV scheduling.

The Australian Financial Review has also reported that a ban on advertising in stadiums and on sports jerseys is set to be confirmed by the government in the coming weeks.

Murphy’s 31-point plan had called for a blanket ban on betting advertisement and a levy on operators.

This was a topic also addressed by Rishworth, who emphasised the government’s main motivation is to reduce gambling-related harm.

She said: “Minister [Michelle] Rowland is working through that recommendation. Of course, she’s working very diligently. What she said and what the government’s committed to is, what actually reduces online harms. That is our focus. 

“So, our focus is how do you reduce online harms, ensure that children are protected and, of course, that we do reduce problem gambling in this country. So, everything has to be guided by that. She’s [Rowland] working very hard across the board looking at where we can go when it comes to advertising.”

Last month, the Alliance for Gambling Reform penned an open letter to the Australian government that has since been signed by a number of high-profile figures – including two former prime ministers in John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull – appealing to the government to rethink its decision to opt for an advertising cap rather than a blanket ban.

The letter also urges both the government and the opposition to issue a public commitment to all 31 recommendations raised in Murphy’s report of 2023.