Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, the member for Boothby. The 2023 Murphy report of the social policy and legal affairs committee recommended implementing a comprehensive ban on all forms of gambling advertising. Can you confirm for the House that this was the recommendation of the committee and that the government has not responded to the report and inform the House of any procedural steps taken by the committee to secure a response to the report from the government?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a problem with that. Under the standing orders, those sorts of questions can only be asked on specific details, not on the policy content that the chair would be responsible for. So you'll have to rephrase it. Otherwise, I will rule that question out of order. It's got to be about the process and timings, not about the policy.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll rephrase the question and ask the minister, if that's acceptable to the Speaker. My understanding was that, under standing order 90, a question like that could be asked of a committee chair.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Only on specific details, not policy. To be fair to the member for Ryan: address the question to a minister, and it will be a lot easier for the House to deal with.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It has now been almost 2½ years since the Murphy report recommended banning gambling advertising. In that time, Australians have lost well over $60 billion. Why are you putting the interests of Sportsbet ahead of the interests of ordinary Australians?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That was the question to the Minister for Communications? You'll need to indicate, Member for Ryan, who the question is to.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Communications. Thank you very much, Speaker.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Communications will be able to address that—the topic of the question she was asked.

Anika Wells (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sport) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much for the question, Member for Ryan. As you would have heard before, the government has delivered the most significant online-wagering harm-reduction initiatives of the past decade, including launching BetStop and banning the use of credit cards for online wagering. BetStop is the most significant gambling reform of the past decade, and it was this government, the Albanese government, that delivered these reforms. We're really proud of the positive impact that they're having. I am pleased to inform the House of Representatives that BetStop has now officially reached 51,079 registrations, and 38 per cent of those registering have chosen a lifetime ban. That is over 50,000 people who have been able to block access to all phone and online gambling providers. I've had meetings with harm-reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes as we seek to further minimise the harms of gambling, and I have not met with any gambling companies.