Minister's Words To Gambling Reform Advocate 'Stunning'.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire from a host of supporters and crossbenchers for informing a former gambling addict to persuade betting companies about reforms, not her.
Kate Seselja got rid of a pokies addiction that practically led to her taking her own life.
Ms Seselja stated Ms Wells informed her throughout a conference in August 2025 it was not the minister who required convincing about gambling reforms however the wagering companies, tv networks and sporting codes that produced revenue from gaming.
"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja informed AAP.
"To be asked if I had tried to have conferences with them, as a lived experience advocate, was dreadful.
"To have that level of detach to the reality of gambling damage dealt with by countless Australians, to suggest that individuals with lived experience go fulfill with these predators, made me lose belief in the system."
Fellow supporter Anna Bardsley from the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts (GHLEE), who likewise went to the meeting, substantiated the exchange.
Ms Wells' workplace did not reject the comment was made, saying the minister invited the opportunity to meet the two advocates to listen to their experience with betting harm.
A representative indicated Labor federal government measures consisting of the intro of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a ban on credit cards for online gambling and changes to alerting taglines after ads.
"The Australian government takes seriously our duty to protect Australians, especially young and vulnerable people, from the harms of online gaming," the spokesperson said.
Independent MP Kate Chaney branded the minister's comments a betrayal of Australians experiencing gambling damage, saying they were "stunning however sadly not surprising".
"Being told to lobby the gambling market yourself, after a years of steadfast advocacy and nearly losing your life to addiction, is an extensive failure of leadership," she said.
Ms Seselja said personnel from the interaction minister's workplace told her to keep defending reforms throughout a subsequent conference in March.
"I actually broke down and lost it at the staffer, due to the fact that I said to her, if you're not going to do your task, then resource GHLEE to do it," Ms Seselja stated.
"People are passing away and nobody is stopping the carnage."
Independent senator David Pocock explained Ms Seselja's recount as deeply uncomfortable, while independent MP Monique Ryan attacked the government for failing to take duty for the concern or stand up to vested interests.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief supporter Tim Costello branded the comments and inactiveness on the concern "a complete failure of government", adding he was gobsmacked the federal government had not reacted to a gambling harm report released practically 1000 days back.
The landmark report into gambling harm bied far in June 2023 by late Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended a phase-out of advertising, suppressing temptations and an overarching nationwide harm-reduction structure.