David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator Farrell. Minister, the parliament passed 355 bills in the last parliament, the 47th Parliament. There are a hundred bills in front of the current parliament. I think there are 16 bills in this afternoon's guillotine alone. None of those bills deals with banning gambling advertising, which was a recommendation over two years ago by the Murphy report. Minister, given we've had so much time for all these other things, I'm interested to know: when will the government actually get around to introducing legislation that bans all gambling ads over three years, in line with a recommendation from the Murphy report?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator, I may have misheard you, but I thought you directed that to Senator Gallagher. It is Senator Farrell.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I understood it as Senator Farrell.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, and I also understood it to be me. I thank Senator Pocock for his question on the issue of online gambling. I think it's important that we put into perspective the work that the Albanese government has done in the gambling space since we came to office in 2022. I think it's fair to say that this 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. The minister has had several meetings with the harm reduction advocates, broadcasters and sporting codes as the government seeks to make further minimisation of the harms associated with gambling. In other words, we are seeking to engage all of the stakeholders who have an interest in this issue in order to make further progress. So we've made progress and we're engaging with stakeholders to make further progress.

The Minister for Social Services and the Minister for Communication are determined to continue the work of previous ministers in this space. Both of the relevant ministers understand that there is more work to be done, Senator Pocock, and they have set about ensuring that that process continues and comes to a finalisation.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, gambling ads have so normalised gambling amongst young Australians. I had a father write in saying that his 16-year-old son had up a sports betting account and lost $20,000, and now he and his wife have to sleep on his son's floor because he is suicidal. I'm wondering why your laundry list of things you and other ministers read out have avoided this sort of harm given we know it's such a challenge in our communities.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Pocock. Obviously the circumstances that you've just outlined are tragic, and nobody would want that to happen in their family. I can only reiterate that progress has been made already in limiting gambling—online gamble in particular—by this government. I said in my previous answer that we are working with all the stakeholders to come up with a solution to this issue and provide fresh legislation to continue the good work that has already been done.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, we've seen online gambling increase over the last 12 months, which kind of flies in the face of what you're saying. I'm really interested. We have these awful harms happening in communities across the country. You have a landmark report that laid out how to treat this as a public health issue—with recommendations. Why is the government not implementing the Murphy report?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for his second supplementary question. Progress is being made. Can I just give you a few facts in this space? BetStop has officially reached over 50,000 registrations—in fact, the figure is 51,079—39 per cent of whom chose a lifetime ban. Of these, 32,610 are active exclusions. Around four in five people who have registered for self-exclusion—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Pocock?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On relevance: the Murphy report didn't recommend BetStop. I'm specifically asking about the recommendations of the Murphy report.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, and the minister is being relevant. I will draw him to the Murphy report, but he is talking generally about what the government has done. Minister Farrell.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Around four in five people who have registering for self-exclusion have experienced a better overall quality of life.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, President; maybe I will try again. On direct relevance: BetStop was not part of the Murphy report. I'm really interested in the Murphy report and when that will be implemented.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I will continue to listen carefully and, if necessary, I will draw the minister to your question. Minister.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have made progress in this space, Senator Pocock. We've banned the use of credit cards for online wagering. We've forced online wagering companies to send their customers monthly activity statements, outlining wins and losses. We've provided direct— (Time expired)