John Howard joins calls for tougher gambling reforms in Australia
The former prime minister and several Coalition MPs say the government’s proposed gambling measures don’t go far enough.
Australia.- Former prime minister John Howard has joined calls for stronger measures on gambling in Australia. He has joined a group of Coalition MPs and former political leaders who have signed an open letter urging current prime minister Anthony Albanese to strengthen the government’s reform package.
The signatories argue that the current proposals fall short of recommendations made by a 2023 parliamentary inquiry led by the late Labour MP Peta Murphy.
The government’s plan would limit gambling advertisements on television, introduce new restrictions for online and radio advertising, phase out some sports sponsorship promotions and ban athletes from endorsing wagering operators. Critics say the measures leave important gaps and call for stricter advertising rules and the creation of a national gambling regulator.
Some lawmakers have warned that betting advertisements could still appear during breaks in live sporting events watched by children. Howard said there was “far too much gambling in Australia” and called for stronger action to reduce its normalisation, particularly among young people.
