Maribyrnong council will write to the federal government demanding it implement the recommendations from the 2023 “You Win Some You Lose More” inquiry into problem gambling.
At it’s first meeting for the year on February 18, Maribyrnong council voted unanimously in favour of a motion that it write to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Health Minister Mark Butler to urge them to implement in full the recommendations from the inquiry report released in June 2023.
The recommendations include establishing a national online gambling regulator, develop and fund an ongoing, online gambling public education campaign and that online gambling harm reduction be the responsibility of a single federal government minister.
As part of the motion, Maribyrnong will also write to the body representing all western suburbs councils, LeadWest, to convene a Western Alliance for Gambling Reform, as well as calling on the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to also lobby the federal government to adopt the recommendations.
Deputy mayor Berandette Thomas moved the motion and told the chamber that the federal government had not given any reason for its failure to implement the 31 recommendations.
She said after more than 18 months of waiting, the time for action had come.
“While the government dilly dallies, people are losing their homes and lives.”
A spokesperson for federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the need for taking “meaningful action” was clear.
“We continue to work through the 31 recommendations of the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling, including in relation to advertisements,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognise this is taking longer than hoped, but it’s critical that we get this right to ensure future reforms are effective and comprehensive.”
LeadWest, MAV and ALGA were contacted for comment.
Cade Lucas.
