I got this back
Thank you for raising your concerns with Brendan around online poker in relation to the Turnbull Government’s Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill (2016).
He has asked me to respond on his behalf.
Labor agrees that a well-regulated gambling industry must be underpinned by appropriate harm minimisation measures. We know there are growing concerns around problem gambling in our community and the devastating social, financial and emotional consequences it can have.
You may be aware that the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Legislation reported on the inquiry into the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016 on 30 November last year. On the topic of online poker the report stated the following:
2.61 The submissions relating to online poker services demonstrate the balance between individual freedoms and harm minimisation that gambling regulation strikes. People who gamble responsibly and are willing to take responsibility for their own actions understandably object to their activities being restricted. However, the regulatory framework recognises that problem and at-risk gamblers can be exposed to significant danger. Problem gambling affects not just the individuals concerned; there are considerable flow-on effects for others in society.
2.62 The bill does not change the existing policy decisions about what services should be available and how they should be regulated. Rather, the bill seeks to enforce the original intent of the IGA, which is to minimise the scope of problem gambling amongst Australians. Whether particular services should no longer be restricted under the IGA is a separate question that this committee was not asked to consider as part of this inquiry.
The Senate Inquiry report can be accessed via the link below:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_...ons/IGA/Report
Once again, thank you for writing to Brendan and making him aware of your views.
Kind Regards.
Carolyn McKenzie
Office of the Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP
Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Federal Member for Gorton