Gambling bill amendments debate
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Australia's Senate passed gambling reform with 96-9 vote, introducing opt-out register and ad limits.
The bill aims to curb gambling harm but critics say it falls short of.
Background
The Australian government has been debating gambling reforms for years, following a 2023 report by the late MP Peta Murphy that recommended sweeping changes. The reforms include a national opt-out register for gambling ads, limits on ad frequency, and restrictions on inducements. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support but faced criticism from crossbench MPs and some Coalition members who wanted stronger measures.
How it unfolded
- 2023Peta Murphy's report 'You win some you lose more' recommended major gambling reforms.
- Apr 2026PM Albanese announced proposed reforms at a National Press Club address.
- Aug 17, 2026Labor and Coalition agreed on amendments including an opt-out register.
- Aug 18, 2026House of Representatives passed the bill 96-9; Senate debate began.
- recentlySenate debate continued with amendments from David Pocock and others; bill expected to pass.
Who’s saying what
- Government
- Communications Minister Anika Wells called the bill 'the most significant gambling advertising reform by any Australian government ever'.
- Opposition
- Shadow minister Sarah Henderson said the changes strike the right balance, but demanded the government 'get it right' on data security.
- Crossbench
- Independent senator David Pocock called the bill 'a victory for vested interests over the community'.
- Greens
- Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young accused Labor and Coalition of failing 'the moral test' and called the opt-out register 'an absolute joke'.
- Liberal dissidents
- Liberal senator Paul Scarr said the bill is 'fatally flawed' and crossed the floor to support Pocock's amendments.
Still unverified
Details of the opt-out register are scant and could take up to 12 months to implement, according to Labor sources.