PRESSURE is growing on the federal government to adopt the recommendations of the “Murphy Report” on gambling reform.

Former Dunkley MP Peta Murphy chaired an inquiry into online gambling harm prior to her death last year. The inquiry’s report was released in mid-2023 – it made 31 recommendations to reduce the negative impacts of gambling, including a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling to be phased in over three years.

The federal government has not taken action on all of the inquiry’s recommendations, and has not publicly committed to doing so. Dunkley MP Jodie Belyea, who was elected to succeed Murphy in March, says she will continue to pressure her party to adopt the proposed reforms.

“My community has been asking me what I have been doing regarding the pending gambling reforms contained in the ‘Win Some You Lose More’ report, chaired by Peta Murphy, my predecessor. Despite what has been printed in the media, the government is considering all options,” Belyea said. “I have had in-depth discussions with the minister and her team on your behalf. “I am concerned by the prevalence of gambling advertising, and I will continue to advocate for the 31 recommendations in the report so we can secure the strongest possible reforms. There is no doubt that significant reform is needed to prevent and reduce gambling harms.”

The federal government is also facing strong outside pressure to take action. Last month the Alliance for Gambling Reform called for the recommendations to be adopted, and last week the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula added its support for the proposed reforms.

A letter sent by the Committee to its members read “Peta [Murphy] fought so hard for these changes, even in the last few months of her life when her health was deteriorating. To date, the response from the federal government has been disappointing. We also note a growing number of government MPs feel the same way. “We call on the federal government and opposition to work together and implement all the recommendations of the Murphy Report; including a total gambling ad ban, a ban on inducements, a national regulator, and a levy on wagering companies.”

First published in the Frankston Times – 17 September 2024