Minister's Words To Gambling Reform Advocate 'Stunning'.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire from a host of supporters and crossbenchers for informing a former gaming addict to convince betting companies about reforms, not her.
Kate Seselja overcame a that nearly led to her taking her own life.
Ms Seselja said Ms Wells informed her throughout a meeting in August 2025 it was not the minister who required convincing about gambling reforms however the wagering business, television networks and sporting codes that produced revenue from betting.
"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja informed AAP.
"To be asked if I had attempted to have meetings with them, as a lived experience supporter, was dreadful.
"To have that level of disconnect to the reality of betting harm faced by millions of Australians, to suggest that individuals with lived experience go satisfy with these predators, made me lose belief in the political system."
Fellow advocate Anna Bardsley from the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts (GHLEE), who likewise attended the meeting, corroborated the exchange.
Ms Wells' office did not deny the remark was made, stating the minister welcomed the chance to consult with the two supporters to listen to their experience with gambling harm.
A spokesperson indicated Labor federal government measures consisting of the introduction of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a restriction on charge card for online betting and changes to alerting taglines after ads.
"The Australian government takes seriously our obligation to protect Australians, particularly young and susceptible people, from the damages of online gaming," the representative stated.
Independent MP Kate Chaney branded the minister's remarks a betrayal of Australians experiencing gambling harm, saying they were "shocking however regrettably not unexpected".
"Being informed to lobby the gambling market yourself, after a decade of tireless advocacy and nearly losing your life to dependency, is an extensive failure of leadership," she stated.
Ms Seselja stated personnel from the communication minister's office informed her to keep combating for reforms throughout a subsequent meeting in March.
"I really broke down and lost it at the staffer, due to the fact that I stated to her, if you're not going to do your job, then resource GHLEE to do it," Ms Seselja said.
"People are dying and no one is stopping the carnage."
Independent senator David Pocock described Ms Seselja's recount as deeply uncomfortable, while independent MP Monique Ryan attacked the government for failing to take responsibility for the concern or stand up to vested interests.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief supporter Tim Costello branded the comments and inaction on the problem "a complete failure of federal government", including he was gobsmacked the federal government had not reacted to a gambling harm report launched practically 1000 days back.
The landmark report into gambling damage handed down in June 2023 by late Labor MP Peta Murphy recommended a phase-out of marketing, suppressing inducements and an overarching nationwide harm-reduction framework.