Coalition MP calls out gambling advertising carve-out

Liberal MP Simon Kennedy has argued the federal government's proposed changes to gambling advertising laws contain a loophole that would allow ads to be shown "in every break" during live sport events streamed online.

This week marked three years since the report of the parliamentary inquiry chaired by late Labor MP Peta Murphy, which called for a total ban on gambling advertising.

Communications Minister Anika Wells introduced the legislation to parliament on Thursday, which includes a ban on gambling ads on broadcast television during live sport, before 8:30pm.

But in an interview with 7.30, Mr Kennedy said the section of the bill that deals with online advertising contains a carve-out for live sporting events on streaming platforms.

It would permit gambling advertising to be shown during scheduled or unscheduled breaks.

"If you're streaming it on your smart TV, you'll see gambling ads in every break,"

Mr Kennedy said.

"Someone scores a try or kicks a goal — gambling ad.

"Half time or quarter time in the AFL — gambling ad."

The minister's office has confirmed the bill would permit advertising at those times, but only if a user was logged into a streaming service and was over the age of 18.

Opt-out or opt-in?

Platforms would also need to allow users to opt out of seeing gambling advertisements.

Mr Kennedy said the opt-out mechanism would be ineffective at preventing exposure to gambling advertising.

"Currently, SBS has opt-out — 0.2 per cent of the population is able to find it."

Mr Kennedy said he did not support the total ban called for in the Murphy report, instead preferring an opt-in model.

"If people want to have gambling ads … let them have them," he said.

Earlier, his Liberal colleague, Queensland MP Andrew Wallace, acknowledged the different views across the parliament, but said he "wouldn't have a problem with a total ban."

Labor MP Louise Miller-Frost described the bill as "a really good step forward" but said she "would like to see more".

The bill has been referred to a Senate inquiry due to report by August 17.

Ms Wells has acknowledged there are "deeply entrenched views" on the issue.

"That is why it has been so difficult to land a package that is workable for everybody," she said.

"We put at risk the 1 January implementation by any form of delay."

Mr Kennedy was ejected from Question Time after heckling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over the government's gambling ad proposal.

The Liberal MP spoke recently of his friendship with a teacher who had a gambling problem, and to whom he would occasionally lend money.

"I was a bit embarrassed about losing control [in parliament], but this is personal for me, and personal for millions of Australians,"

he said.

Watch 7.30, Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on ABC iview and ABC TV