The big Gamble!

The article by Mike Seccombe in this weeks "The Saturday Paper" titled 'The big gamble" is a must read. An earlier blog by me on this subject is perhaps all encompassing.

This article though, is more aimed at the outrageous gambling advertising which has become contagious in all forms of media, including so -called Social media. But to conclude that the Communications minister is being responsive to the commercial broadcasters purely because of their donations to Party coffers is too simplistic. It is now clearly obvious to all of us citizens that the political parties ( mainly the TWO Party system) are responsive to whoever is willing to subscribe to any and everybody associated with the gambling industry. They all have vested interests.

The fact that gambling as an industry, has almost become the norm here in Australia, is due almost entirely to the so-called "Two- party'System. The Labor party in 1956 was the party that introduced "poker"machines into licensed clubs, under the guise of so-called community clubs. The coalition parties apparently supported this move, knowing full well that it would establish an additional stream of funding for both sides.

Unfortunately we the people, embraced these developments to the extent that as a nation we are now heavily dependent on the consequent rivers of gold, disguised as taxes. Stopping or banning online advertising on free TV is just one step necessary to banning any and all advertising in the media. Be it social, as a first step , commercial TV and print in consequence is the only way to slow or stop the insidious growth of this pernicious industry. That the Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is reported as acting in the interests of commercial television is a joke. If the proprieters of the three stations are unable to administer their own businesses then maybe they should move aside for managers who can. As a nation we cannot continue to rely on such harmful industries as gambling. Replace the party politicians with independents sworn to act in the interests of the people and the cost of running government and Parliament will substantially reduce. Probably removing the need for such pernicious industries.

www.movementforbettergovernment.com.au