A powerful alliance of former prime ministers and premiers, MPs, union leaders, sport, business, health, union and faith figures, academics, writers, social justice advocates and social service groups have called on the Federal Government and the Opposition to commit to banning all gambling advertising within three years.

The letter – signed by more than 60 prominent Australians including former prime ministers John Howard and Malcolm Turnbull, Lucy Turnbull, former NSW premier Dominic Perrottet, and former Victorian premiers Jeff Kennett and Steve Bracks – urged the Federal Government and Opposition to adopt all gambling reforms championed by late Labor MP Peta Murphy as she chaired the Federal Inquiry into Online Gambling.

Other prominent signatories include former Australian of the Year and family violence prevention advocate Rosie Batty, former AFL champion Easton Wood, former Socceroo, broadcaster, social justice and human rights campaigner, Craig Foster and former champion skateboarder and founder of Globe International, Stephen Hill.

It calls on the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to commit publicly to implementing the 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report – You win some, you lose more – to stop a tsunami of gambling ads targeted at Australians, especially children. This includes banning inducements and promotions that are used to ensnare people who want to stop gambling.

Former Prime Minister John Howard said: “Many Australians are alarmed about the proliferation of gambling advertising on our screens and the mounting losses through gambling. I believe gambling losses are responsible for enormous harm across the community.”

“Our political leaders should follow the courageous example of the former New South Wales Premier, Dominic Perrottet. As an unapologetic sports fan I am troubled by how advertising is now linked with all our major sporting codes and what message this is sending to our children.”

A string of Federal independent MPs – Andrew Wilkie, Rebekha Sharkie, Dr Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink, Zali Steggall, Zoe Daniel, Kate Chaney, Dai Le, Dr Helen Haines, Dr Sophie Scamps – independent Senator David Pocock, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and former Federal Labor minister Robert Tickner are among the signatories.

Unions NSW Secretary Mark Morey, Victorian Trades Hall Council Secretary Luke Hilakari, Jesuit Priest Father Frank Brennan, Sydney’s Anglican Archbishop Reverend Kanishka Raffel and groups including Public Health Association of Australia, Australian Council for Social Services, Movember, Reichstein Foundation, Our Community and Wesley Mission also signed onto the push. They are joined by academics from across Australian universities including Emeritus Professor Mike Daube, Professor Charles Livingstone and Professor Samantha Thomas.

Alliance for Gambling Reform CEO, Martin Thomas said:

“A total ban on all gambling advertising is essential to stop gambling companies targeting our children. Any decision to simply cap advertising, or limit a blanket ban to only social media, would be a win for vested interests and leave Australians exposed to significant harm.”

“Australians lose $25 billion a year to gambling. But the real cost of inaction – is the mounting financial ruin, mental health problems, suicide, and the family violence that gambling can exacerbate.”

“We are calling on the Government and Opposition to commit publicly to adopting in full all 31 recommendations from the Murphy Report.”

“Children are being saturated in advertising and people who want to stop gambling are being pulled back in through exploitative and unethical inducements and promotions.

“Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton have a once-in-a-generation chance to embrace common sense, effective reform and end the vicious cycle of gambling harm that destroys families and communities.”

Letter to Prime Minister and Opposition Leader to ban gambling ads

Full list of signatories

Martin Thomas, CEO and Tim Costello, Chief Advocate are available for interview

Media contact:

Georgie Moore | georgie@hortonadvisory.com.au 0477 779 928