Minister Slammed For 'dismissive' Gambling Harm Comment

Gambling harm with lived experience have implicated the social services minister of being dismissive after a nationwide interview.


Social services minister Tanya Plibersek accused a radio host of being "obsessed about the gambling marketing" when asked about a lack of action and the link between betting damage and domestic violence, as she announced more funding for a domestic violence hotline.


Kate Seselja, who almost took her own life during her 12-year struggle with gambling addiction, stated the comment was "completely dismissive of the very real issue that betting marketing is in Australia".


"And dismissive of the numerous thousands of individuals and households who have actually suffered at the hands of the gaming market," she wrote in an open letter on Wednesday on behalf of Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts.


Ms Plibersek was contacted for remark on the letter.


Ms Seselja, the founder of The Hope Project, said she was perplexed about why Labor hadn't reacted to a landmark questions into gambling damage that suggested an advertising ban more than 2 years after its report was bied far.


"You personally understand how addiction affects individuals, you know how it can tear families apart and result in crime, family violence, homelessness, suicide and other social problems," she wrote in the letter.


Ms Plibersek's hubby was founded guilty for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the pair satisfied, and the minister has spoken openly about taking pride in his rehab and how it's possible to move previous addiction.


Ms Seselja called for an answer as to why the federal government was dragging its feet on reacting to the report and the recommended advertising ban.


"We look for a human response from a woman, a mother, an other half, an individual who appreciates her fellow Australians and is in the uncommon position of being a senior cabinet minister with individual insight into how dependency can affect any Australian."


Banning gaming advertisements would be an easy but effective action that would go a long way to lowering harm, Ms Seselja said.


"Please picture just how much more of a concern heroin addiction would remain in Australia if heroin was marketed in a favorable light and not only normalised however celebrated as a part of Australian culture," she said.


"We urge you to put the lives of Australians ahead of the gambling, media and sporting lobbies."


National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636