Gambling reform consultation slammed as 'charade' by health experts

Health experts have condemned the federal government's consultation on its gambling advertising reforms as a "charade", as Labor prepares to introduce the legislation this fortnight amid growing criticism from the Greens and crossbench MPs.

In May, the draft laws were unveiled by Communications Minister Anika Wells, with the promise of "targeted" consultation.

But Professor Mike Daube from Curtin University said he and other colleagues were only given three days' notice and a 45-minute Zoom briefing to scrutinise the detail of the proposed legislation.

The pressure comes as the government pushes ahead with a watered-down version of recommendations from the landmark Murphy inquiry, which called for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising.

Under the proposal, gambling advertisements would still be permitted during half-time breaks and weather delays in sporting broadcasts after 8:30pm. Horse, harness and greyhound racing would also be exempt from the definition of a sporting event.

Professor Daube said it was "stunning" how little input had been sought from harm reduction experts and people with lived experience.

"The government took three years to consider the Murphy report, but now gives us just a few days to provide comments on the draft legislation, with a 'consultation' scheduled for just 45 minutes," he said.

"This consultation just looks like a charade."

The government distributed the draft laws on May 29, ahead of a briefing session with gambling harm advocates.

But Professor Daube and Deakin University public health professor Samantha Thomas said they were not invited to the meeting until days beforehand and were unaware the draft legislation had been published on the department's website.

Professor Thomas said the process had been marred by "poor consultation" and a "lack of transparency".

"Key details remain unclear, and significant questions cannot be answered," she said.

"The government owes Australians an explanation for why it has moved so far away from the recommendations of the Murphy inquiry and the advice of independent experts, public health organisations, and people with lived experience."

The government had granted an extension on written submissions after Professor Thomas requested additional time.

A spokeswoman for Ms Wells said the department had conducted targeted consultation with stakeholders.

"The department held dedicated briefing sessions for gambling harm reduction advocates and states and territories," she said.

"There was no dedicated briefing session provided to gambling companies."

Bill must find friends in the Senate

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said she would "force" the government to send the bill to a Senate committee of inquiry if, as expected, it passed the Labor-majority lower house.

She said the Greens had not yet considered leveraging their support of the government's suite of tax changes to push for stronger gambling reform.

"The government knows that they need the Greens to get various pieces of their agenda through the parliament, and the Greens will use their power in the Senate to stop laws that are bad," she said.

"This gambling legislation that we are yet to see but has been floated falls well short."

The Coalition has not indicated whether it would support the legislation, but Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson said after years of "delay, deception and deflection" from Labor, she wanted to ensure the new laws delivered meaningful reform.

"We won't cop Labor's spin and bluster," she said.

"We have concerns about the government's exposure draft of the bill and are continuing to work through the details in good faith."

Three years since Murphy review

Sunday marks three years since the landmark Murphy review into gambling harm was handed down.

Critics say the draft laws address just three of the review's 31 recommendations and leave significant loopholes for gambling advertising.

Independent MP Kate Chaney, who served on the committee behind the Murphy inquiry, said the draft was "full of holes" and amounted to a "fake compromise" designed to appease the gambling industry.

She said the government had repeatedly sought to minimise attention on the reforms, first releasing details during the federal budget lock-up and later on the Thursday before the Easter long weekend.

"The government is clearly not proud of this reform package … they've timed the release of announcements connected to this package for minimal possible exposure," she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially announced the gambling reform during a speech at the National Press Club in April.

The WA independent said she would use "every power" available to push for parliamentary scrutiny of the legislation once it is introduced.

"I really challenge the government to use the parliamentary process in both houses to make this bill better," Ms Chaney said.

The government has set out a timeline for the reforms to take effect from January 2027.