Australia’s top sporting codes and teams are all piling on for the ‘Yes’ case in Voice to Parliament’s referendum – but the opposition say they must use their conscience to ban gambling ads during live sport.
The NRL, AFL, Tennis Australia, Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games and Rugby Australia have all expressed their support for the referendum, which will take place between October and December this year.
The Sydney Swans are the latest team to show their support, with the AFL club issuing a heartfelt statement on Friday afternoon, thanking Aboriginal players and fans for ‘enriching the club’.
In stark contrast, no well-known organizations have publicly taken a ‘no’ stance, in line with the official liberal stance.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast on Friday morning, Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley called on the same sports organizations to support opposition leader Peter Dutton’s calls to ban gambling advertising.
The NRL, AFL, Tennis Australia, Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games and Rugby Australia have all expressed their support for the referendum, which will take place between October and December this year.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has signaled a major problem with sports codes, saying they are ‘morally compelled’ to support the Voice to Parliament
Mr Dutton used his budget speech to propose a total ban on sports betting advertisements during match broadcasts. The ban would be extended both during play and for an hour either side of a game.
Ms Ley said: ‘Those sports organizations can take whatever position they want… When they look at moral compulsion, they might also look at the changes that Peter Dutton announced in gambling advertising.
“Great codes with a conscience, I hope they support that too.”
Ms Ley said her party has no interest in telling any organization what position to take on the referendum.
But she said there was a clear parallel contrast between the campaigns of sports codes for the vote and the push to strip competitions of gambling promotions.
“As I said, I hope they think about and support their own conscience,” she said.
“Because I think it’s pretty important and I think it reflects the Liberal party’s family values when it comes to gambling, which is unfortunately a crippling addiction for some, and one we need to address as a society.”
Mr Dutton, along with the Greens and independents, is calling on the government to do something about gambling advertising, which he says sucks the ‘joy’ out of televised sporting events.
“The bombardment of betting ads is taking the fun out of televised sports,” Mr Dutton said.
“Worse, they are changing the culture of our country in a bad way and normalizing gambling at a young age.”
The AFL joins the NRL, Rugby Australia, Netball Australia, Tennis Australia, Football Australia and Cricket Australia in support of Mr Albanese’s Voice to Parliament
Anthony Albanese is trying to introduce a vote in parliament
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has argued that the coalition has done nothing on the issue for “nine years”.
The Labor government has commissioned a review of advertising guidelines, but such restrictions would meet significant backlash from gambling authorities.
Mr Dutton also weighed in on support for the vote within sports codes on Friday, noting he thinks it is ‘counterproductive’ for such bodies to advocate a position anyway.
“Most fans are really scratching their heads as to why the elites are taking a stance on the governance of the game,” he said.
The AFL released a statement reaffirming support for the referendum following a large number of discussions and consultations with clubs, staff and players.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have long made a great contribution to the football field,” the statement said.
“Their contributions off the field are equally valued for the impact they’ve made on our game and our community.”
The AFL joins the NRL, Rugby Australia, Netball Australia, Tennis Australia, Football Australia and Cricket Australia in support of Mr Albanese’s Voice to Parliament.
The Sydney Swans are the latest club to show their support, with a heartfelt statement thanking Aboriginal players and fans for ‘enriching’ the club’
The AFL joins the NRL, Rugby Australia, Netball Australia, Tennis Australia, Football Australia and Cricket Australia in support of Mr Albanese’s Voice to Parliament
