Minister's Words to Gambling Reform Advocate 'Shocking'.
Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire from a host of advocates and crossbenchers for telling a previous gambling addict to encourage wagering business about reforms, not her.
Kate Seselja got rid of a pokies dependency that nearly resulted in her taking her own life.
Ms Seselja stated Ms Wells informed her throughout a conference in August 2025 it was not the minister who needed convincing about gambling reforms however the wagering companies, tv networks and sporting codes that produced earnings from gambling.
"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja informed AAP.
"To be asked if I had actually 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 dealt with by countless Australians, to recommend that people with lived experience go meet these predators, made me lose belief in the political system."
Fellow advocate Anna Bardsley from the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts (GHLEE), who also went to the conference, corroborated the exchange.
Ms Wells' workplace did not deny the comment was made, saying the minister invited the chance to consult with the 2 supporters to listen to their experience with betting damage.
A spokesperson indicated Labor government procedures consisting of the introduction of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a ban on credit cards for online betting and changes to cautioning taglines after ads.
"The Australian government takes seriously our responsibility to safeguard Australians, particularly young and vulnerable individuals, from the damages of online gaming," the representative said.
Independent MP Kate Chaney branded the minister's comments a betrayal of Australians experiencing gambling damage, stating they were "stunning however regrettably not unexpected".
Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire from a host of advocates and crossbenchers for telling a previous gambling addict to encourage wagering business about reforms, not her.
Kate Seselja got rid of a pokies dependency that nearly resulted in her taking her own life.
Ms Seselja stated Ms Wells informed her throughout a conference in August 2025 it was not the minister who needed convincing about gambling reforms however the wagering companies, tv networks and sporting codes that produced earnings from gambling.
"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja informed AAP.
"To be asked if I had actually 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 dealt with by countless Australians, to recommend that people with lived experience go meet these predators, made me lose belief in the political system."
Fellow advocate Anna Bardsley from the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts (GHLEE), who also went to the conference, corroborated the exchange.
Ms Wells' workplace did not deny the comment was made, saying the minister invited the chance to consult with the 2 supporters to listen to their experience with betting damage.
A spokesperson indicated Labor government procedures consisting of the introduction of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a ban on credit cards for online betting and changes to cautioning taglines after ads.
"The Australian government takes seriously our responsibility to safeguard Australians, particularly young and vulnerable individuals, from the damages of online gaming," the representative said.
Independent MP Kate Chaney branded the minister's comments a betrayal of Australians experiencing gambling damage, stating they were "stunning however regrettably not unexpected".