Gambling reform advocate Tim Costello weighs in on minister’s Sportsbet controversy

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing a fresh accusation following the revelation of Sportsbet donation scandal.

A well-known gambling reform advocate says Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who is under scrutiny over donations from an online betting company, has declined to meet with him.

The Reverend Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, has called for Ms Rowland to be sacked after it was revealed she was given nearly $19,000 by Sportsbet before last year’s federal election.

Sportsbet donated $10,000 to Ms Rowland’s campaign and paid $8960 for a dinner at Sydney restaurant Rockpool for the Labor MP, who was opposition communications spokeswoman at the time.

Reporting of the donations has sparked a storm of controversy, with crossbench MPs arguing the money puts her in a conflict of interest given her portfolio is partly responsible for regulating online gambling.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland is facing controversy over donations she received from Sportsbet. Picture NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Mr Costello alleged Ms Rowland had turned down invitations to meet with representatives from the Alliance for Gambling Reform with lived experience of gambling harm.

“A number of meetings were requested, she couldn’t find time to do those meetings, but she can, it seems, find time to meeting with Sportsbet,” he told Sky News on Friday.

“I’ve tried to understand why she wouldn’t meet with us and Labor sources have said to me, she is a problem on this for the reforms you are trying to see. That was last year.”

He called on Anthony Albanese to remove Ms Rowland from her portfolio.

A spokesman for Ms Rowland didn’t respond directly to Mr Costello’s allegations but said no rules had been broken.

Gambling reform advocate Reverend Tim Costello says Michelle Rowland should be removed from her portfolio. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“All donations the minister receives are compliant with the disclosure requirements of the Australian Electoral Commission, the Register of Members’ Interests and the Ministerial Code of Conduct,” he said.

“The Minister and the Albanese Government are committed to reducing harms from online gambling.

“The Government strongly supports the implementation of the national self-exclusion register, called BetStop, and the minister is committed to getting it done.”

Ms Rowland gave a similar response when she was pressed on the reports in question time in parliament on Thursday.

She plays a key role in overseeing gambling policy as the minister with responsibility for the Interactive Gambling Act and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Sportsbet declared the $10,000 donation to the AEC but the NSW Labor branch did not declare either payment because they were lower than the $14,500 threshold for mandatory disclosure.

The Prime Minister and other Labor frontbenchers have defended Ms Rowland, saying she complied with all rules.

Originally published as Gambling reform advocate Tim Costello weighs in on minister’s Sportsbet controversy