Government has a long way to go with long-awaited gambling reforms - 1 April 2026

Manisha Gordon-Menon
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0800

Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney expressed disappointment in what has been left out of the gambling reform package rumoured to be announced by the Government in coming days.

A member of the committee that produced the You win some, you lose more report, also known as the Murphy Report, Chaney said she was committed to continuing to fight for the full implementation of the Report’s 31 recommendations to reduce the harms that the gambling industry cause.

Comments attributable to Independent Member for Curtin Kate Chaney:

“After more than 1000 days of silence on gambling reform, any Government action would be a step forward.

“The proposal leaked to the media today gets the Government out of the starting blocks, but we’re a long way short of the finish line. There are significant recommendations from the Murphy Report that are glaring omissions from this Government proposal.

“My Private Member’s Bill, introduced on Monday, would phase out gambling ads completely as required by recommendation 26 of the Murphy Report. What the Government is putting forward covers some of phase one and two of the four-phase ad ban plan included in my Private Member’s Bill and in the Murphy Report.

“As a committee member on the inquiry into online gambling harm, we heard definitively that partial bans on advertising do not work - the media reforms in 2017 resulted in an increase of gambling ads on TV.

“The lack of reference to inducements and inducement advertising and the opt-in nature of the social media ban shows the Government has not given up its ‘personal responsibility’ narrative. It’s not an equal playing field for vulnerable Australians to take on the gambling companies.

“Curbing gambling industry harms will require decisive action from the federal government, including the establishment of a National Regulator.

“I stand with the researchers, experts and lived experiences advocates who have fought for lasting, meaningful reforms that protect Australians from harm. This proposal doesn’t go nearly far enough to achieving the outcome they deserve, and all Australians expect.”

“Curbing gambling industry harms will require decisive action from the federal government, including the establishment of a National Regulator.

“I stand with the researchers, experts and lived experiences advocates who have fought for lasting, meaningful reforms that protect Australians from harm. While any action from the Government would be a start, this proposal has a long way to go to achieve the outcome Australians expect and deserve.

ENDS

Electorate office Cnr The Boulevard and Floreat Ave Floreat WA 6014 PO Box 186 Floreat WA 6014 T. 08 9388 0288 E. kate.chaney.mp@aph.gov.au W. www.katechaney.com.au

Media enquiries Cade Smith | Kate Chaney MP | Media and Communications Adviser cade.smith@aph.gov.au | 0408 997 003