David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Bernardi, move:

That the following matters be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 14 September 2017:

(a) the participation of Australians in online poker;

(b) the nature and extent of any personal or social harms and benefits arising from participating in online poker; and

(c) whether the current regulatory approach, in particular, the recently amended Interactive Gambling Act 2001, is a reasonable and proportionate response to those harms and benefits.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opposition will not be supporting this motion today. Whilst we recognise the senator's intent, we are unable to support the points raised in this motion. We recognise that well-regulated gambling has a place in Australian society and that the growth of illegal online gambling is of great concern. While the majority of people who bet gamble in a responsible manner, Labor knows that gambling in our community can, in some cases, have devastating social, financial and emotional consequences. We know that problem gambling can cause significant harm. That is why we support a well-regulated gambling industry that is underpinned by appropriate harm-minimisation measures.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that that motion be agreed to.