Independent MP for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has welcomed long overdue legislation to ban the use of credit for online gambling.

However she is disappointed the federal government remains unwilling to rein in gambling donations to political parties, and frustrated it is yet to respond to 31 recommendations from the Inquiry into Online Gambling Harm report that was tabled six months ago.

“I am pleased the Government has moved on this important initiative, effectively mirroring my bill from earlier this year.”

“However, there is more we can do to help reduce the harm done by gambling to our communities. 

"Australians are the biggest losers in the world, yet the Government is ducking and weaving from responding to the Committee inquiring into Online Gambling Harm"

“We know most Australians would support recommendation 26, a ban on advertising of online gambling. 

"We know this advertising is creating harm now. It is at saturation point with one million advertisements a year on free to air TV alone."

"The major parties are addicted to gambling donations. Centre for Public Integrity figures show the gambling sector gave $8.7 million to the political parties over the period from 1999 to 2021. 

"I will introduce legislation next year to ban politicians from accepting political donations from gambling organisations.”

Carol Bennett, CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, has acknowledged Ms Sharkie’s leadership on gambling reform legislation.

“While the passing of the government legislation is a good outcome, there are still a number of loopholes that will mean people can still gamble with money they don’t have, and it was disappointing that the major parties in the Senate rejected calls to stop taking political donations from gambling organisations.”