Minister Slammed For 'dismissive' Gambling Harm Comment
Gambling harm decrease supporters 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 gaming advertising" when asked about an absence of action and the link between betting harm and domestic violence, as she announced more financing for a domestic violence hotline.
Kate Seselja, who almost took her own life throughout her 12 with betting dependency, stated the remark was "entirely dismissive of the extremely genuine problem that betting marketing is in Australia".
"And dismissive of the lots of thousands of individuals and households who have suffered at the hands of the betting industry," she composed in an open letter on Wednesday on behalf of Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts.
Ms Plibersek was contacted for discuss the letter.
Ms Seselja, the creator of The Hope Project, said she was perplexed about why Labor had not responded to a landmark questions into gambling damage that recommended an advertising ban more than 2 years after its report was bied far.
"You personally know how addiction affects individuals, you know how it can tear families apart and cause criminal activity, household violence, homelessness, suicide and other social issues," she composed in the letter.
Ms Plibersek's hubby was founded guilty for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the set satisfied, and the minister has spoken openly about being proud of his rehabilitation and how it's possible to move previous addiction.
Ms Seselja required a response regarding why the federal government was dragging its feet on responding to the report and the suggested marketing ban.
"We seek a human response from a woman, a mother, a partner, a person who cares about her fellow Australians and remains in the unusual position of being a senior cabinet minister with individual insight into how addiction can impact any Australian."
Banning gambling advertisements would be an easy but powerful action that would go a long way to decreasing damage, Ms Seselja said.
"Please picture how much more of an issue heroin addiction would be in Australia if heroin was marketed in a favorable light and not just normalised but commemorated as a part of Australian culture," she stated.
"We urge you to put the lives of Australians ahead of the gambling, media and sporting lobbies."
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