Marles maintains gambling reforms about striking a ‘balance’ over ‘complex’ issue
Richard Marles, the deputy prime minister, said the government still intends to get its gambling reforms past parliament despite opposition from the Greens and the Coalition, who both argue that they do not go far enough.
Marles spoke to RN Breakfast, echoing the government line that they are the “strongest reforms in respect of gambling advertising that have ever been put forward”. He went on:
I mean, we are doing more in terms of breaking the link between gambling advertising and sport, more in terms of protecting our kids from being exposed to gambling advertising on TV and radio at the times when they would be watching and listening. We’re doing more in terms of supporting BetStop, which helps people who identify to restrict their own gambling habits.
So this is really important legislation and we’ll work with the parties across the parliament to get it passed.
When asked about criticism of the legislation, Marles said gambling was a “complex” issue with differing views.
It’s also an area where you need to strike a balance and we believe we’ve done that … We’re not saying that people should not be able to engage in betting but there needs to be a balance. And it’s important.
Penny Wong says Australia has ‘more work to do’ forging relationships in the Pacific
The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, is in Fiji today amid a meeting with her counterparts from across the Pacific.
Wong said Australia has been working to rebuild trust and Australia’s reputation in the region, as well as its “strategic position in the Pacific”.
We’ve got work more work to do. We’ve announced that we do want to engage with and negotiate with both Tonga and Solomon Islands. Obviously, there’ll be a lot of work there that we want to do with them in partnership.
Wong also said she hopes China “takes note” of the region-wide opposition to a ballistic missile test Beijing undertook in July.
It was a test which was destabilising and in a region where leaders have said we want an ocean of peace. It’s really important that partners respect that, and we would continue to encourage that respect.
Welcome
Good morning, and welcome to Friday. It’s Nick Visser here to get us started. Here’s what’s on deck.
Australia has recorded its lowest quarterly trade surplus in nearly a decade amid a long push to secure fuel cargoes during the oil crisis in the Middle East.
Electric vehicle imports have surged, with battery EV sales more than doubling in the June quarter to nearly ۷۰,۰۰۰.
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