Minister Slammed For 'dismissive' Gambling Harm Comment

Gambling damage reduction supporters with lived experience have implicated the social services minister of being dismissive after a national interview.


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


Kate Seselja, who nearly took her own life throughout her 12-year struggle with gambling dependency, said the comment was "totally dismissive of the extremely real problem that betting advertising remains in Australia".


"And dismissive of the many thousands of individuals and households who have actually suffered at the hands of the betting market," she composed 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 creator of The Hope Project, stated she was perplexed about why Labor hadn't reacted to a landmark questions into harm that advised a marketing ban more than two years after its report was handed down.


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


Ms Plibersek's other half was founded guilty for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the pair met, and the minister has spoken openly about taking pride in his rehabilitation and how it's possible to move previous dependency.


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


"We seek a human reaction from a lady, a mother, a better half, a person who appreciates her fellow Australians and is in the rare position of being a senior cabinet minister with individual insight into how dependency can impact any Australian."


Banning betting advertisements would be an easy but powerful action that would go a long way to reducing damage, Ms Seselja said.


"Please envision just how much more of a problem heroin addiction would remain in Australia if heroin was marketed in a positive light and not only normalised but commemorated 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