Government agrees to ad opt-out register in deal with Coalition to pass gambling reforms

The government and opposition briefed a Labor backbench committee and the Coalition shadow ministry on about 15 amendments on Monday evening, ahead of a full caucus and partyroom meeting for final approval on Tuesday morning.

The opt-out register would be established by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), with people able to request their various online accounts be blocked from viewing gambling advertising. The plan includes needing people to provide information such as their email address linked to the platform they are seeking to opt out of ads on.

With the shadow cabinet backing the bill, it is expected to pass. However, Liberal sources have told the ABC some in the party are considering crossing the floor because they believe the laws still will not be strong enough. In addition to TV and radio restrictions, the government’s current draft bill creates a “triple lock” system that would require social media, streaming and other online platforms to only show gambling ads to logged-in users verified as over 18.

Communications Minister Anika Wells used a speech in parliament, before the deal was finalised, to signal Labor was poised to move on so-called gambling inducements and online ads, after criticism its bill did not go far enough.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and the prime minister met several times to negotiate the gambling laws, which Labor is seeking to pass by the end of this week. But it is said that Prime Minister Albanese was not prepared to entertain such a large change.