Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

Labor has always maintained a strong stance to ensure appropriate harm minimisation measures are in place to protect and assist our community when it comes to responsible gambling. We know that the majority of people who gamble enjoy it and do it in a responsible manner. However, we also acknowledge that gambling in our community can, in some cases, have devastating social, financial and emotional consequences. That is why we supported many elements of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, moved by the minister in this place. The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 is an important starting point that will go towards improving protections for those who choose to wager within an online environment.

Labor has been very clear on our position when it comes to banning credit betting. We have always thought a ban on credit betting is an important part of harm minimisation measures, particularly in relation to problem gambling. And that is why we did support a Senate amendment to ban credit betting. While I appreciate and acknowledge the minister's personal commitment, it is a shame that this provision was not in the original bill. I am not sure why it was not in the original bill, and I understand that the minister wanted to deal with the states on these matter first and come to that. But it really could have been in the original bill, and we could have had this bill through the houses of parliament months earlier. But it is very pleasing to see that the government and the minister have worked very hard to ensure that this amendment occurs and that the ban on credit betting provision will be in the bill. I also understand and appreciate the government's consultation in relation to the trackside bookmakers and the exemptions that will be provided in this bill for them.

When it comes to that exemption, I have also sought some assurances from the government and the minister that the turnover of $30 million is an appropriate threshold to have this exemption for trackside bookmakers. I want to put on record that, if there is any way that any of the other gaming operators try to get through this loophole, I would expect the government to act on that. It is of course only intended for trackside bookies that this occurs. I appreciate the government working on that and I appreciate the consultation from the government on it, and I am really pleased to see that finally we will get some harm minimisation for people in an online gambling environment. I will be supporting the government's amendment.

Question agreed to.

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