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

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


Kate Seselja got rid of a that almost resulted in her taking her own life.


Ms Seselja stated Ms Wells told her during a meeting in August 2025 it was not the minister who needed convincing about betting reforms however the wagering business, television networks and sporting codes that produced earnings from gaming.


"I was flabbergasted," Ms Seselja informed AAP.


"To be asked if I had tried to have conferences with them, as a lived experience supporter, was horrific.


"To have that level of detach to the reality of gambling damage dealt with by millions of Australians, to recommend that people 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 went to the meeting, proved the exchange.


Ms Wells' office did not reject the comment was made, saying the minister welcomed the opportunity to meet the two supporters to listen to their experience with gambling damage.


A spokesperson pointed to Labor government procedures consisting of the introduction of the self-exclusion register BetStop, a ban on credit cards for online gambling and modifications to cautioning taglines after ads.


"The Australian government takes seriously our duty to protect Australians, especially young and vulnerable individuals, from the damages of online gaming," the spokesperson said.


Independent MP Kate Chaney branded the minister's comments a betrayal of Australians experiencing betting damage, stating they were "shocking however regrettably not surprising".


"Being informed to lobby the gambling market yourself, after a decade of vigorous advocacy and almost losing your life to dependency, is an extensive failure of management," she said.


Ms Seselja said personnel from the interaction minister's office informed her to keep fighting for reforms throughout a subsequent conference in March.


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


"People are dying and no one is stopping the carnage."


Independent senator David Pocock described Ms Seselja's recount as deeply unpleasant, while independent MP Monique Ryan assaulted the federal government for stopping working to take obligation for the issue or stand up to beneficial interests.


Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello branded the remarks and inactiveness on the problem "a complete failure of government", including he was gobsmacked the federal government had actually not responded to a gaming harm report released practically 1000 days ago.


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