Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 2:26:38 to 2:31:43
Senator Pocock queries the effectiveness of new gambling laws, specifically regarding inducements, influencer advertising bans, and the operational status of the BetStop register.
Topics: Online safety, Law reform
Speakers: Senator David Pocock, Speaker 17, Unknown Speaker
Yeah, I've got some questions about the uh government's um gambling uh reform. Um that passed. Um I've got a bunch of questions. The first one was on inducements. Um rather than banning inducements uh as was recommended by the Murphy report, the government has now changed law to prevent gambling companies from contacting people for three months after they come off bet stop. I've been advised that gambling companies don't actually know when people have come off bed stop as there's no way for them to see someone's deregistration date. Um is that is that true?
Uh Senator, I will just need to take that on notice. I'm I'm not 100% sure. Uh apologies.
Okay. Um if you can come back today, that would be great. Um then on the uh the the grandfathering of certain commercial deals. Is it correct that the prohibition on using social media influences to advertise gambling on social media has also been grandfathered?
Uh the the only uh Senator, sorry, I should have introduced myself. Ravana can I go to acting assistant secretary gambling reforms task force. Uh the only grandfathering element in the Act relates to uh sporting uniforms, uh sporting officials' uniforms. And in use, sorry.
But just reading directly from the bill, subsection 62 W. Um, which is the the prohibition of notable persons of the new IGA Act applies in relation to a contract arrangement or understanding entered into on or after the commencement day. So are you sure that doesn't include influencers?
So the commencement of the legislation, that provision will be the first of January 2027.
Okay. But it doesn't seem like there was a prohibition on influencers doing five ten-year deals. Or is that explicitly ruled out in the act?
There's no provision in the legislation to grandfather any provisions in relation to notable people.
Okay, so all influencer advertising will cease on the 1st of January.
Those provisions will come into effect on the 1st of January 2027.
So then that'll then be illegal.
Uh in line with what's provided in the legislation and then um outlined in the guidance from the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
But is is that in relation to a contract arrangement or understanding entered into on or after the commencement day?
So any contract uh entered into on or after the commencement date being the first of January 2027 will not be valid.
Yeah, but I'm asking about grandfathering. So what if what if someone does a deal on the you know the 30th of December?
Those contracts will not be grandfathered.
Won't be grant grandfathered?
No.
So they just null and void.
Correct.
Okay. Okay. Except for jerseys.
Yes, and stadiums.
Is the government's intention that this service will be advertised to Australians?
Senator, the uh the act, as you are aware, provides for the wagering advertising opt-out register to give Australians a single way to opt out of receiving wagering advertising across online content services. Uh the promotion of the service is something that we will be looking into as it is established.
Okay. When will it be established?
Uh Senator, there are a number of preparatory steps to be put in place before it can be commenced. Uh the ACMA is leading the work to deliver the register. The um uh uh specific questions about the architecture and the operation of that register are best directed to them.
Okay, we were told it would take uh a year. Do you think it's on track to be delivered uh next August?
Uh Senator again, I think there are particular stages to that process, and that's a matter for the SCMA to out speak to.