Australian Democrats
Minority Report
Context
This report is written at a time when the extension of
gambling outlets in Australia has reached alarming proportions. In recent
surveys a majority of Australians have indicated their opposition to the
opening up of further outlets for gambling.
The main reasons for this opposition has to do with the harm
caused to individuals and families through gambling addiction. There is also a
growing concern about the increasing dependence of State Governments on gambling
as a source of revenue.
Some social commentators have commented especially on the
extension of gambling within Australian homes which would occur if the
extension of internet gambling goes ahead.
Rev Tim Costello, in his book “Wanna Bet”, points out that
the demand to extend gambling facilities comes from the industry itself, not
from public demand for more outlets. He also writes of the incremental
increase in gambling through State Governments’ progressive watering down of
the tougher regulations of 20 – 30 years ago.
The proposed legislation is the first time since the second
World War that any Australian government has proposed legislation that limits
gambling rather than extending/regulating gambling.
We welcome the commitment from the Government to the
Democrats that it will commit funds towards research into the social and
economic effects of gambling and towards an education programme warning
Australians about the dangers of the misuse of gambling. The Democrats urge
the Federal Government also to continue to work with the States to increase
funding for counselling and rehabilitation programmes.
The effect of the legislation
We recognise that the concept of banning all internet
gambling is problematic because there is technically no way to stop access to
internet sites at Australia’s borders. On this point, we agree with Senator
Greig’s report. Nonetheless, this legislation, using the Australian
Constitutional telecommunications and corporations powers, will limit the
availability of interactive gambling services to Australians by making it an
offence to provide them within Australia.
The States would not be able to issue licences nor profit
from taxes collected from interactive gambling and whilst Australians would be
able to access offshore sites, in our view they would be less inclined to do so
knowing that there would likely be fewer consumer safeguards in place.
Industry and some states argue that a regulatory approach is
more appropriate than legislation however, we note that regulations have no
jurisdiction over offshore providers either.
We also share the view of Senator Greig’s report that there
is no good argument to allow Australian internet gambling providers to operate
overseas. We do not accept that the very high revenue of $1 billion said to be
lost out of this country if Australian operators cannot conduct business
overseas justifies a weakening of Australia’s stand on opposing internet
gambling. In fact, it is our view that any moral suasion this legislation
might carry in assisting other countries to also protect their residents from
social damage due to internet gambling, would be lost through this provision in
the bill.
Recommendations
We support the recommendations of the majority report but
will move amendments to the legislation.
________________
Senator Lyn Allison |
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Senator John Woodley |
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