Minister Slammed For 'dismissive' Gambling Harm Comment

Gambling harm decrease supporters with lived experience have accused the social services minister of being dismissive after a nationwide interview.


Social services minister Tanya a radio host of being "obsessed about the gambling marketing" when inquired about a lack of action and the link in between betting harm and domestic violence, as she revealed more financing for a domestic violence hotline.


Kate Seselja, who almost took her own life during her 12-year battle with gambling addiction, said the comment was "completely dismissive of the extremely genuine problem that gambling advertising remains in Australia".


"And dismissive of the many thousands of people and families who have suffered at the hands of the betting industry," she wrote in an open letter on Wednesday on behalf of Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts.


Ms Plibersek was gotten in touch with for discuss the letter.


Ms Seselja, the founder of The Hope Project, stated she was perplexed about why Labor hadn't reacted to a landmark questions into gambling damage that recommended a marketing ban more than two years after its report was bied far.


"You personally understand how addiction affects people, you know how it can tear households apart and result in criminal activity, family violence, homelessness, suicide and other social issues," she wrote in the letter.


Ms Plibersek's spouse was convicted for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the pair met, and the minister has spoken openly about being proud of his rehab and how it's possible to move previous dependency.


Ms Seselja called for a response regarding why the government was dragging its feet on reacting to the report and the recommended advertising restriction.


"We seek a human action from a female, a mother, an other half, a person who cares about her fellow Australians and is in the rare position of being a senior cabinet minister with individual insight into how dependency can impact any Australian."


Banning gambling ads would be a simple but powerful action that would go a long method to minimizing damage, Ms Seselja stated.


"Please picture how much more of an issue heroin dependency would be in Australia if heroin was advertised in a positive light and not just normalised but celebrated as a part of Australian culture," she said.


"We implore you to put the lives of Australians ahead of the betting, media and sporting lobbies."


National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636