Gambling harm reduction advocates with lived experience have accused the social services minister of being dismissive after a national interview.
Social services minister Tanya Plibersek accused a radio host of being "obsessed about the gambling advertising" when asked about a lack of action and the link between gambling harm and domestic violence, as she announced more funding for a domestic violence hotline.
Kate Seselja, who almost took her own life during her 12-year struggle with gambling addiction, said the comment was "completely dismissive of the very real problem that gambling advertising is in Australia".
"And dismissive of the many thousands of people and families who have suffered at the hands of the gambling industry," she wrote in an open letter on Wednesday on behalf of Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts.
Ms Plibersek was contacted for comment on the letter.
Ms Seselja, the founder of The Hope Project, said she was perplexed about why Labor hadn't responded to a landmark inquiry into gambling harm that recommended an advertising ban more than two years after its report was handed down.
"You personally know how addiction affects people, you know how it can tear families apart and lead to crime, family violence, homelessness, suicide and other social issues," she wrote in the letter.
Ms Plibersek's husband was convicted for drug smuggling when he was addicted to heroin before the pair met, and the minister has spoken publicly about being proud of his rehabilitation and how it's possible to move past addiction.
Ms Seselja called for an answer as to why the government was dragging its feet on responding to the report and the recommended advertising ban.
"We seek a human response from a woman, a mother, a wife, a person who cares about her fellow Australians and is in the rare position of being a senior cabinet minister with personal insight into how addiction can affect any Australian."
Banning gambling ads would be a simple but powerful action that would go a long way to reducing harm, Ms Seselja said.
"Please imagine how much more of an issue heroin addiction would be in Australia if heroin was advertised in a positive light and not only normalised but celebrated as a part of Australian culture," she said.
"We implore you to put the lives of Australians ahead of the gambling, media and sporting lobbies."
National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
