We cannot celebrate tinkering when it comes to gambling reform. Labor’s response falls tragically short

‘With the biggest majority in the House of Representatives in our country’s history, and a Senate crossbench calling for stronger action, what excuse does the prime minister have for this weak response?’ David Pocock writes. Pictured: Anthony Albanese at the National Press Club on Thursday. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

After more than 1,000 days without a response to the landmark Murphy report on the harms of online gambling, and growing pressure from advocates, experts, the crossbench and from within his own caucus, Anthony Albanese last week released his government’s response.

The prime minister’s response falls tragically short of the suite of measures Peta Murphy and her multi-party committee identified. These measures, implemented in full, could genuinely stop the harm that a deluge of gambling advertising is having, especially on children and young men. That is not what Albanese has announced.