Minister Slammed For 'dismissive' Gambling Harm Comment

Gambling harm reduction advocates with lived experience have implicated the social services minister of being dismissive after a nationwide interview.


Social services minister Tanya Plibersek implicated a radio host of being "obsessed about the betting advertising" when inquired about a lack of action and the link between gaming damage and domestic violence, as she revealed more funding for a domestic violence .


Kate Seselja, who almost took her own life during her 12-year battle with betting addiction, stated the remark was "entirely dismissive of the very real problem that gambling marketing remains in Australia".


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


Ms Plibersek was contacted for remark on the letter.


Ms Seselja, the founder of The Hope Project, stated she was perplexed about why Labor had not responded to a landmark inquiry into gambling harm that suggested an advertising restriction more than 2 years after its report was bied far.


"You personally know how addiction affects individuals, you understand how it can tear families apart and cause criminal offense, household violence, homelessness, suicide and other social concerns," she composed in the letter.


Ms Plibersek's partner was founded guilty for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the set met, and the minister has spoken openly about taking pride in his rehabilitation and how it's possible to move past dependency.


Ms Seselja called for a response as to why the federal government was dragging its feet on reacting to the report and the advised advertising ban.


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


Banning gambling advertisements would be a basic however powerful action that would go a long way to reducing harm, Ms Seselja said.


"Please imagine how much more of a concern heroin addiction would be in Australia if heroin was advertised in a positive light and not just normalised however commemorated as a part of Australian culture," she stated.


"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