Lesa Scholl
14 November 2024
Faith Leaders in Melbourne have called for a conscience vote for a full ban on gambling ads in Australia amid the federal government’s unwillingness to implement a key recommendation to address community safety.
Anglican and Catholic leaders believe that gambling ads damage mental health and social cohesion and that the Church is called to recognise where social evils are taking place.
The social costs of gambling are high in Australia, with more than one person a day committing suicide because of gambling habits.
Chair of the Melbourne Anglican Social Responsibilities Committee Reverend Dr Gordon Preece said that Australians were the “world’s greatest losers” when it came to gambling.
Dr Preece said this was a pastoral matter and that the Church should have a role in influencing the corporate conscience of society.
Catholic justice and social services vicar Father John Petrulis said the “mental, social and spiritual health of our community is at stake.”
Aboriginal Elder and researcher Janis Koolmatrie, who studies the impact of gambling on Indigenous Australia, pleaded with the government to respect the findings of the Murphy Report.
The Murphy Report, released in June 2023, was the result of an inquiry into online gambling and its impact on those experiencing gambling harm.
The government adopted some of the report’s recommendations, but did not implement the flagship recommendation for a full ban on gambling ads.
The government is heading toward a partial ban on advertising.
Read more: Watered down reforms will not work: Christian advocates
Federal parliamentary members Andrew Wilkie has called for a full ban on gambling advertising.
Mr Wilkie said a conscience vote is the most appropriate way to address the issue.
“If there’s an issue that goes to morality, that tugs at you, it should go to a conscience vote,” he said.
Federal Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said the government took seriously its responsibility to protect Australians and that it needed to get reforms right to deliver harm prevention.
For assistance with gambling harm please call Gambler’s Help on 1800 858 858.
If you or anyone you know needs support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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