Minister's Words To Gambling Reform Advocate 'Shocking'.

Communications Minister Anika Wells is under fire from a host of supporters and crossbenchers for informing a former betting addict to persuade betting companies about reforms, not her.


Kate Seselja overcame a pokies addiction that almost led to her taking her own life.


Ms Seselja stated Ms Wells informed her throughout a conference in August 2025 it was not the who required convincing about betting reforms however the wagering companies, television networks and sporting codes that created revenue from gambling.


"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja told AAP.


"To be asked if I had attempted to have meetings with them, as a lived experience advocate, was horrific.


"To have that level of detach to the truth of betting damage dealt with by millions of Australians, to recommend that individuals with lived experience go consult with these predators, made me lose belief in the political system."


Fellow advocate Anna Bardsley from the Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts (GHLEE), who likewise participated in the conference, substantiated the exchange.


Ms Wells' office did not reject the remark was made, stating the minister welcomed the opportunity to fulfill with the two supporters to listen to their experience with betting harm.


A spokesperson indicated Labor government steps consisting of the introduction of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a restriction on charge card for online betting and modifications to alerting taglines after advertisements.


"The Australian federal government takes seriously our obligation 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 remarks a betrayal of Australians experiencing betting damage, saying they were "stunning however unfortunately not unexpected".


"Being informed to lobby the gambling market yourself, after a years of steadfast advocacy and nearly losing your life to addiction, is a profound failure of management," she said.


Ms Seselja stated staff from the interaction minister's workplace informed her to keep battling for reforms throughout a subsequent meeting in March.


"I really broke down and lost it at the staffer, because I stated to her, if you're not going to do your job, then resource GHLEE to do it," Ms Seselja said.


"People are passing away and no one is stopping the carnage."


Independent senator David Pocock described Ms Seselja's recount as deeply uncomfortable, while independent MP Monique Ryan attacked the government for failing to take duty for the concern or stand up to beneficial interests.


Alliance for Gambling Reform chief supporter Tim Costello branded the remarks and inactiveness on the problem "a complete failure of government", adding he was gobsmacked the federal government had actually not reacted to a gambling damage report released almost 1000 days earlier.


The landmark report into betting harm handed down in June 2023 by late Labor MP Peta Murphy suggested a phase-out of marketing, suppressing temptations and an overarching national harm-reduction framework.