Several Labor MPs have urged the federal government to introduce a total ban on gambling ads and not to water down the recommendations of an inquiry led by their late colleague Peta Murphy.
The government has spent six months assessing the inquiry’s bipartisan recommendations – prompted by “powerful evidence of community harm – and consulting with gambling companies, broadcasters, sporting codes and tech giants.
The south-west Sydney MP Michael Freelander told Guardian Australia that legislating a “blanket ban” on gambling advertising was “the right thing to do” and he “strongly believed” there was support for that among his colleagues.
“It is insidious,” he said. “It is all pervasive and it is really impacting electorates like mine, particularly young people and young families. The social harm that it does is immeasurable.
“Clearly, the right thing to do is to reduce the harm that gambling causes in our community. I see absolutely no community good that gambling causes, despite the protestations from some of the gambling companies. I only see harm.”
This month Murphy died from breast cancer at the age of 50. In condolence motions, many of her colleagues paid tribute to her work on the gambling inquiry, including at times when she was unwell or undergoing treatment.
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws show that Murphy sought a meeting in August with the communications minister, Michelle Rowland, and the social services minister, Amanda Rishworth, to discuss the government’s response to her inquiry’s recommendations.
In his condolence motion, Andrew Leigh, the assistant minister for competition, charities, Treasury and employment, confirmed his support for a total ban. Delivering it would be a fitting tribute to her, he said.
“As a side benefit, we could forever redefine the term ‘Murphy’s law’,” Jones said. “As Peta pointed out to me last week, it’s the most vulnerable who lose the most from gambling.”
In his condolence motion, the assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones, said he was “passionate” about the issues Murphy raised during the inquiry, including the “very forceful, blunt, un-ignorable truths” she uncovered.
“It would be a great tribute to our friend if this parliament took seriously the job of reform in this area, to take that report and ensure that it doesn’t just sit on the shelf,” Jones said.
Several other MPs, who did not wish to be named, have confirmed their support for a total ban. But others believe it may be a step too far.
“The status quo can’t be maintained but I think a total ban might be overreach,” the Labor backbencher Graham Perrett said.
Freelander said he had not seen any indication the government was planning to “water down Peta Murphy’s suggestions”.
“I am very hopeful the government will have a very firm and positive response,” Freelander said.
This week Guardian Australia reported that the government had asked Google, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook to estimate how much money they would lose if online gambling ads were banned.
A government spokesperson said it was engaging with a large number of stakeholders as it examined possible advertising restrictions. Documents show industry was told a policy would be announced by the end of the year.
“The status quo of online wagering advertising is untenable and the government will announce a comprehensive response in due course,” the spokesperson said.
This week the Alliance for Gambling Reform wrote to the prime minister, urging him to “honour the work” of Murphy and ban gambling advertising.
“We implore you to act decisively and urgently to protect our communities and to protect our children from the harmful impacts of gambling,” the letter said.
Another open letter, which has so far been signed by the heads of Sydney University’s school of public health and the charity Wesley Mission, will call the government to “ignore the lobbying of those who profit out of gambling and its promotion”.
Rowland and her staff have also met with more than a dozen public health experts and anti-gambling campaigners. On 11 December the minister met Prof Mike Daube from Curtin University and Prof Samantha Thomas from Deakin University.
“We stressed to the minister that the evidence base about the need for a comprehensive ban was based on rigorous research over many years and while the government have implemented some initiatives they would do little to directly protect children,” Thomas said.
