Attorney general Shane Rattenbury says territory may take action unilaterally if federal government does not act reports The Guardian
The ACT government has outlined plans to legislate hefty restrictions and a possible outright ban on sports gambling ads with senior ministers warning the “pernicious” promotions have caused undue harm to the community.
The confirmation comes as the federal crossbench MPs Monique Ryan and Rebekha Sharkie add their names to a growing list of politicians uncomfortable with the volume of gambling ads and calling for federal government intervention to reduce harm.
The ACT attorney general, Shane Rattenbury, who has previously described the industry’s targeting of young men as “insidious”, said the territory may take action if the federal government does not tighten restrictions after a parliamentary inquiry.
“Ideally the federal government will act on gaming advertising, as they hold most of the legal levers. However, the ACT is also exploring options that it can take unilaterally – if it needs to – to restrict gambling advertising,” Rattenbury said.
“Primarily we are exploring implementing a regime similar to South Australia’s restrictions on gambling advertising on TV, to see if we can replicate it, or go further.”
The South Australian restrictions, introduced in 2013, are stricter than current federal rules. They impose a total ban on all advertising between 4pm and 7.30pm, regardless of the program.
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