12 May 2026
Chaney: Government burying response to Murphy report
Independent Federal Member for Curtin Kate Chaney MP is disappointed but not surprised that the
Government tabled its response to the Murphy report during the federal budget lock up.
A member of the committee that produced the ‘You win some, you lose more’ report into gambling harm,
(the ‘Murphy Report’), Chaney pointed out that the Government announced its inadequate gambling
reforms on Easter Thursday and has tabled its formal response today under cover of the budget, 1051 days
after the Murphy Report and while public scrutiny is focused elsewhere.
Comments attributed to Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney MP:
“Slipping in the long overdue response during the budget lock-up shows the Government knows it’s
inadequate. If the Government was proud of its reform package, it would time its release for attention,
not to be ignored.
“The Government’s response doesn’t accept the need for a national regulator with teeth. This week we
have heard that Ladbrokes breached self-exclusion laws 500 times and ACMA couldn’t manage to impose a
penalty. The other regulator is in the Northern Territory - a cowboy outfit which is both ineffective and
conflicted.
“The Government’s response also won’t produce a ban on predatory inducements, a national strategy, or a
complete phase-out of ads.
“The response does not accept any of the recommendations, but instead only ‘notes’ them. The gambling
reform package announced relates to 3-4 of the recommendations at best.
“The package announced reinforces the ‘personal responsibility’ narrative that the gambling companies
prefer and does not treat this as a public health issue.
“New polling out today shows that three in four Australians support a ban on gambling ads, with more
than four in five Labor voters agreeing.
“In tonight’s budget the Government will talk about addressing the cost of living issues facing Australians,
but we know Australians lose $87 billion a year gambling – this equates to more per household than
electricity bills.
“At the gambling inquiry and in Curtin, I have heard from people suffering from gambling addiction and
their families. These are sad stories of desperation, impacting their finances, mental health, family
cohesion, and sometimes tragically, taking their lives.
“I will continue to push for all recommendations of the Murphy Report to be implemented. Australians
deserve better.”
[ENDS]
Media enquiries: Sarah Silbert | 0400 813 300 | [email protected]