Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Last week we heard damning evidence about the predatory behaviour of gambling corporations, grooming people with a gambling addiction to keep betting, and letting streaming services continue to advertise, with no limits. Yet today we're hearing media reports of a deal between Labor and the Liberals to pass weak gambling reforms that do not fully deal with the recommendations in the Murphy report. How can you sleep at night—doing a deal with the Liberals to pass gambling reforms that protect gambling corporations' profits rather than delivering evidence based policy that protects people?

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

The focus of the reforms that the government has brought forward is the protection of Australians. I think that is something we all wish to do. I appreciate you don't agree with some of the current policy, and you certainly don't agree with us talking to the coalition in order to pass legislation. We have to deal in this chamber, as you know, Senator, with either the coalition or yourselves in order to get legislation passed. We don't have the majority in this chamber. So, by necessity, we have to negotiate to pass legislation, and that is what we are doing.

We do believe that it is important to move forward on this legislation. We want to be able to break the connection between live sport and gambling advertising; we want to ban gambling advertising during live sports broadcasts; we want to ban gambling ads on radio during school pick-up and drop-off times; and we want to ban stadium advertising, jersey advertising and the use of celebrities.

I understand that there have been constructive discussions both with the Greens and with the opposition. We thank you for your engagement. Ultimately, the government needs to engage with either of those two groups in the chamber in order for the legislation to pass the parliament. We've said that we are open to sensible amendments to deliver real change, and that's what the government are engaging in.

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

Senator Waters, first supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

Alongside your dodgy deal on gambling, you plan to work with the Liberals to kick 241,000 disabled people off the NDIS—to save money off the backs of disabled people. Almost all witnesses to the inquiry said these horrendous NDIS cuts should not pass. How can you sleep at night when you're ganging up with the Liberals to cut essential support to 241,000 people?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

I have a point of order in relation to whether the second question, the first supplementary, relates to the primary question, which was about gambling law reform.

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

I am struggling, too, to find the relevance, but I will take the advice of the Clerk. My advice is there isn't a connection, but I will invite Minister Wong to answer the question in a way that she thinks is relevant.

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

Senator, I suppose the response might be: how can you sleep at night, knowing that you would make sure that the NDIS could not survive? That is actually the issue. I respect that you have the right to run a political campaign. We have to continue to deliver real change, and that means we have to ensure that the NDIS can stay strong and continue to support Australians who so desperately need it—not just this year, not just next year, but for decades to come. And that is what the government are seeking to do with the changes which we are engaging in.

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

Senator Waters, second supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

The government's job is to look after people. If you're looking for ways to fix the budget bottom line then a 25 per cent gas export tax would raise $17 billion a year. Why does Labor keep doing favours for big corporations and making money off the back of disabled people instead of working in the interests of Australians?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Link to this | Hansard source

President, again, I'm not sure how that question relates to the primary question or, indeed, the first supplementary either.

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

Thank you, Minister. I am going to, once again, ask Minister Wong if she wishes to make a contribution, because I'm ruling that question out of order. Minister Wong?

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

Senator Waters, we've addressed this previously. I would make this point to you. You make a whole range of personal assertions about people's motivations. We are always motivated—

Yes, you do—motivations of the Labor Party and the Labor government. The Labor government is motivated to try and work to deliver real change for Australians who are experiencing cost-of-living pressure now, to deliver real change on national security and foreign policy, to deliver real change on the economy, to deliver real change on housing and to deliver real change so that we can continue to deliver a strong Medicare system and a strong NDIS not just now and not just next year but in decades to come. That is what we are motivated by.