David Pocock on the ‘real betrayal’ of Labor’s deal on gambling reforms - podcast
Guardian AU
•Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:44:25 GMT
📰 What Happened
Independent senator David Pocock has criticised the Albanese government's deal with the Coalition on online gambling advertising reform and NDIS cuts, calling it a betrayal of all Australians. In the Australian Politics podcast he argues Labor and the opposition have failed to stand up to vested interests on gambling. While he agrees NDIS cuts are needed, he says major parties have ignored expert evidence on the value of community participation and are handing important decisions to algorithms 'with little scrutiny', as both major parties remain spooked by One Nation's rise.
🔍 The Backstory
This week the government passed major reforms to online gambling advertising and deep NDIS spending cuts, all with Coalition support. Pocock has long been a vocal critic of the government's approach to both these issues.
🎯 Why It Matters
As a key crossbench voice, Pocock's criticism underscores discontent with major-party deal-making and how contested gambling and NDIS reform remain. His commentary reflects the broader political instability surrounding these reforms.
Independent senator David Pocock has criticised the Albanese government's deal with the Coalition on online gambling advertising reform and NDIS cuts, calling it a betrayal of all Australians. In the Australian Politics podcast he argues Labor and the opposition have failed to stand up to vested interests on gambling. While he agrees NDIS cuts are needed, he says major parties have ignored expert evidence on the value of community participation and are handing important decisions to algorithms 'with little scrutiny', as both major parties remain spooked by One Nation's rise.
This week the government passed major reforms to online gambling advertising and deep NDIS spending cuts, all with Coalition support. Pocock has long been a vocal critic of the government's approach to both these issues.
As a key crossbench voice, Pocock's criticism underscores discontent with major-party deal-making and how contested gambling and NDIS reform remain. His commentary reflects the broader political instability surrounding these reforms.