Footy time will become family time if Labor and the cross-bench support a Coalition Bill this week that will ban gambling advertising during live sport.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said the Coalition’s Bill to introduce the ban would be voted on in the Senate this week.
“This week there’s a clear opportunity for the Senate to do something good and vote to ban gambling advertising during live sport,” Mr Coleman said.
“The legislation is ready now and all Senators should vote to support it. Nobody in Parliament is publicly arguing that there should be gambling advertising during live sport. So it makes sense for all parties to come together to support this common-sense initiative from the Coalition.”
The Coalition Bill would amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to place a ban on all gambling advertising during live sporting events, commencing one hour before the scheduled start of the match and ending one hour after its conclusion.
Mr Coleman said the Coalition plan was specifically aimed at dealing with the intrusion of gambling advertising when kids and families were gathered to watch a game.
“Kids should be thinking about their favourite players and teams – not the betting odds. Gambling advertising during live sport is teaching kids that betting and sport always go together. This is just wrong. I’m over it, and the Australian community is over it.
“If the Government does not support this Bill, it will need to explain to Australian families why it is standing in the way of this important reform,” Mr Coleman said.
The Hon. David Coleman MP
Federal Member for Banks
Shadow Minister for Communications