Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Report

The Hon. C. BONAROS (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Attorney-General and/or the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs in another place and the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence questions regarding the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: The royal commission, as we know, has reported. It was tasked with uncovering the drivers of violence, listening to victim survivors, and charting a path for prevention and reform. Its findings make clear that this is not a private issue, but one that demands urgent government leadership and systemic change.

Among its many recommendations, the commission identified gambling harm as a serious commercial determinant of violence that requires strong regulation and national action. Recommendations 132 and 133 read respectively:

The South Australian government advocate for the Australian government to accept and progress the recommendations made by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs in the You Win Some, You Lose More report, including, but not limited to, the phased approach to a comprehensive ban on all forms of advertising for online gambling.

And:

The Minister for Consumer and Business Services:

a. progress amendments to section 3 of the Gambling Administration Act 2019 (SA) so that the paramount object of the Act is the minimisation of harm and potential harm associated with the misuse and abuse of gambling activities, consistent with the changes to the Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (SA)

b. undertake a review of the available regulatory levers under the Gambling Administration Act 2019 (SA) to ensure that gambling regulation is occurring in a way that achieves the paramount consideration of harm minimisation and progress further reform as appropriate.

My questions to the Attorney are:

1. Is the government committed to implementing these recommendations and, if so, when?

2. What steps is the government taking to address the royal commission's call for stronger restrictions on gambling advertising, particularly to protect families most at risk of financial abuse and violence?

3. How is the South Australian government working with the commonwealth to ensure the recommendations outlined, including the one on phasing out gambling advertising, are implemented without delay?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for her questions in relation to recommendations in the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence that was handed down earlier this week. The honourable member has referenced two of the recommendations that appear on page 616 of the report in relation to gambling, recommendations 132 and 133, and there is also very useful commentary that precedes those. I think one of the great strengths of the report is before the recommendation or sets of recommendations there is significant commentary that allows a greater understanding of the issues concerned and why the recommendations are being made.

I know that the Premier and Minister Katrine Hildyard have spoken a number of times about the royal commission since it was handed down earlier this week. There are a number of recommendations that have been immediately agreed to, which are enabling recommendations to look at implementing further recommendations. I think there have been statements that we will look to respond to the rest of the recommendations by the end of the year. Certainly, recommendation 132 is not something we have direct control over. It suggests advocacy from the South Australian government. Recommendation 133 is directed at the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, but I will certainly make sure that the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, the Premier and Minister Hildyard are aware of the commentary and concerns raised in the Legislative Council today.