Interview with Peter Stefanovic, Sky News First Edition

PETER STEFANOVIC, HOST: Australians struggling with gambling addiction will be able to ban themselves from all online gambling companies using just one form. BetStop, a National Self Exclusion Register will replace older systems in all States and Territories when it's launched next month. Let's go to Canberra. Joining us is the Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland. Minister, good morning to you. So, it's very easy to join these gambling sites, but it's very difficult to leave them. You got to send a letter. Most people can't be bothered with all of that. So, how will this one stop shop change things?



MICHELLE ROWLAND, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS: This is why this National Self Exclusion Register will be a game changer. It means by visiting Betstop.gov.au, an individual can self-exclude themselves from the 150 licenced Australian online wagering sites in one go. This will be effective from 21 August. People can exclude themselves from three months up to a lifetime. And we know that with the support of industry, from health experts and advocates in this area, that this will make a measurable difference to people's lives and certainly promote harm minimisation in this area.



STEFANOVIC: So, this was proposed five years ago, still didn't happen. Is this a guarantee that it will take place this time?



ROWLAND: The regulator, the ACMA, has done extensive testing and the industry has gotten itself ready for this start date, 21August. We were at the time when we were in opposition, critical of the government for taking so long. It's also on the public record that the original operator went into public administration, which required a new operator to be found. All that has been done now, Pete, and it's important to look forward. And with the 21 August set as the start date, it's important for people to know that that help is available, and this system will be operational.



STEFANOVIC: Okay. Can family members of problem gamblers do it as a form of intervention, Minister, or does it have to be the said individual? 



ROWLAND: It's an interesting question and part of this design has taken into account the fact that we know that these exclusion mechanisms are effective, but it does need to be the individual. It's important to balance those privacy concerns as well. But we also know that self-exclusion does work in other formats, including in licenced venues. But I think the ultimate purpose here around harm minimisation is letting people know that that help is available, including for family members or people whom you love who might be susceptible to gambling harms, knowing that that help is there.



STEFANOVIC: Okay, further to this, will you be moving to ban all gambling ads after a transition period?



ROWLAND: We received the report from the committee examining these very matters less than two weeks ago. We're closely considering all of those recommendations, including consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. We expect to have a response in the near future, certainly expeditiously when all of those matters are considered, but we realise that this is a fundamental issue of great importance to the community. As always, we want to have a comprehensive approach focused on harm minimisation.



STEFANOVIC: Okay, so have you firmed up a view then, when it comes to such things as inducements or bonus bets?



ROWLAND: As I have said on the public record, we know that the status quo in this area is unsustainable, but we are considering all these matters in a holistic way, and we will be making announcements in due course.



STEFANOVIC: One more time then, if this does go ahead and you ban those bonus bets, those inducements, would you be concerned that this could just send customers to foreign companies?



ROWLAND: It is an interesting question as well because that has also been raised in the context of other harm minimisation measures and we know that that option is there. But at the same time, the regulator, the ACMA, does take an active role in taking down those sites, and it also has cooperation in place with overseas regulators to deal with this. And we even saw, as we have announced, we are going to ban the use of credit cards for online wagering. And we know that in other jurisdictions, including the UK, where this was done, this did not result in an overwhelming response to go to those overseas sites. But as I said, this really is a multifaceted approach, and the National Self Exclusion Register is a part of that.



STEFANOVIC: Okay, just a couple of quick ones here. Paul Keating, he's called the NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, a supreme fool that NATO should not be expanding its footprint into Asia. Do you agree with Paul Keating's comments?



ROWLAND: Firstly, the subject matter of this for Australia is very significant as the Prime Minister has announced. It's a $1 billion deal which is important for Australia's sovereign capability and also for Australian manufacturing. Mr Keating is a private citizen who is entitled to his views. The Prime Minister has made Australia's position very clear on this matter.



STEFANOVIC: Okay, you don't agree with them, or you do?



ROWLAND: It is very clear that the Government's interests are in ensuring that we have partners, including such as Germany, who are seeking to further the cause of democracy and stability in the region and that remains the government's focus.



STEFANOVIC: Okay, yes. Just to be clear, you do support NATO's expansion into Asia, which is not something that Paul Keating recommends.



ROWLAND: Let's be very clear. This is about Australia's interests. Mr Keating is entitled to his own views. But again, I reiterate those that have been expressed by the Prime Minister.



STEFANOVIC: Just finally Scott Morrison. Should he resign from Parliament over Robodebt?



ROWLAND: This will be a matter for Scott Morrison. As my colleague Jason Clare has pointed out, this could have been avoided with a number of checks and balances and proper governance and proper cabinet processes having taken place. So, this will be a matter for him and Peter Dutton to explain his position in future.



STEFANOVIC: Michelle Rowland, the Communications Minister. Thanks for your time. We'll talk to you again soon.