Labor's updated national platform, to be debated at its July conference, softens its stance on mandatory jail sentences, pushes for stronger curbs on gambling inducements, retains Aukus support, and rewrites its Israel/Palestine position to reflect Palestinian state recognition and opposition to illegal settlements.
Labor's draft national platform will soften its opposition to mandatory jail sentences, recognizing they don't reduce crime. It also commits to cracking down on online gambling inducements, pressuring the government to toughen reforms.
Liberal MP Simon Kennedy argues new federal legislation to ban gambling ads contains a loophole allowing them during breaks in online live sports. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed ads would be permitted for logged-in, over-18 users with an opt-out, which Kennedy deems ineffective. The bill faces a Senate inquiry.
Labor's proposed gambling advertising reforms have been criticized as insufficient by the Liberal and Greens parties, who are calling for more stringent measures. The bill faces an uncertain future in parliament, with opponents arguing the changes do not go far enough to address gambling harm.
Labor's proposed gambling advertising reforms have faced strong criticism from the Coalition and Greens, who deem them too weak and a "capitulation" to the gambling lobby. Critics argue the changes, set to take effect in 2027, do not go far enough in protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly children and young people, and are calling for a more comprehensive Senate inquiry.
Health experts have criticized the federal government's consultation on gambling advertising reforms as a "charade," citing insufficient notice and a lack of transparency. The proposed legislation, a watered-down version of the Murphy inquiry's recommendations, faces opposition from the Greens and crossbench MPs.
Australia's government has announced reforms to gambling advertising in sports, banning ads on jerseys and during daytime. However, critics argue these measures are insufficient, failing to establish a national regulator and ignoring key recommendations from a gambling inquiry.
A long-awaited response to an inquiry that called for a gambling advertising ban has been tabled on budget day, prompting accusations the government is trying to bury the document.
