Fair said television services are available to every Australian no matter where they live or how much they earn and they are only possible because of advertising revenue. 

“Commercial television spends more than $1.5 billion on Australian content every year, providing Australian audiences with more than 25,000 hours of free local trusted news, Australian drama and entertainment, vital coverage of national emergencies and live and free sport year in, year out,” she said.

“Many of the sports broadcasting deals have been agreed to beyond the three year phase out period for advertising.”

Fair said that the government has quite rightly said that it will take its time to consider the committee’s report before responding, but now is the time for a considered response to this important issue.

“Our industry is ready to work constructively with the Government on measures that would reduce the amount of gambling advertising on television and other platforms, while ensuring that the industry can continue to deliver high quality content to all Australians,” she said.

“Measures like frequency caps would be a better and more targeted approach to respond to any community concern around volume of advertising. This would build on the current restrictions on gambling advertising, including the existing ban on gambling advertising in live sport before 8.30pm and strict limits in sport after that time.

“Any further restrictions on gambling advertising must be offset by reductions in the regulatory burdens on commercial broadcasters. In particular, removing spectrum fees which are completely out-of-step with other countries that have already abolished such fees decades ago.”