Independent senator David Pocock is dismayed at being booted from a parliamentary social sports club after raising concerns about a gambling lobby sponsor.
The Australian Parliament Sports Club hosts friendly games between MPs, their staff, public servants and journalists during parliamentary sitting weeks.
Responsible Wagering Australia, a peak group for gambling companies, is a corporate sponsor of the club.
The former Wallabies captain said he was “shocked to learn that the club was selling access to parliamentarians”.
“Being kicked out of the club for raising concerns around gambling lobbyists buying access to the club shows the influence vested interests have here in parliament,” he said.
Senator Pocock is critical of the federal government’s failure to respond to a landmark gambling harm inquiry that recommended banning online betting advertising.
Independent MP Allegra Spender called the banning of Senator Pocock “an absolute disgrace” and resigned her membership.
Club chief executive Andy Turnbull denies lobbying takes place on the field, saying the club was registered to be “on the safe side” given the membership included MPs and corporate sponsors.
The sponsors, which also include alcohol, pharmaceutical and financial companies, have been listed in the club newsletter since at least 2024.
Senator Pocock, who said he had not read the newsletter and wasn’t made aware when signing up, had queried a $2500 donation from Responsible Wagering Australia.
Mr Turnbull told Senator Pocock he intended to deregister the club following written confirmation from the Attorney-General’s Department, which administers the code.
The department confirmed in an October email to Mr Turnbull, seen by AAP, that “based on the information you have provided … you would not have to register”.
Mr Turnbull had told the department: “I re-confirm that both organisations have never been paid to make representations to government on behalf of others”.
Senator Pocock took issue with the offer to deregister, saying it should be listed “if there are paying corporate members who interact with parliamentarians”.
Mr Turnbull said he had no problem accepting gambling sponsors because the club had “taken the view that it must be agnostic with respect to its corporate members”.
“It is not for the club to determine what is right or wrong in this respect when its own parliamentary members have such wide and diverse views on most matters,” he said in a September message.
“Currently, sports gambling is not illegal nor a banned activity.”
Mr Turnbull again messaged Senator Pocock on Thursday evening, saying he had “become the first person ever to politicise the most apolitical operation in the parliament” after the ACT representative raised the issue at a parliamentary hearing.
“I have, for the last 24 hours, just scratched my head in disbelief. It is inappropriate for you to remain a member of the club in these circumstances,” he wrote.
“You chose a cheap shot that will have no effect on the outcome of your anti-gambling campaign.
“I am sorry it has reached this point but you left me with no choice.”
Responsible Wagering CEO Kai Cantwell said the group had complied with all disclosure and transparency requirements and parliamentary sports had never been about lobbying, which was done via proper channels and not on the field.
“It’s about giving everyone who works in the building, not just parliamentarians, a rare chance to switch off from demanding schedules and enjoy an hour of exercise,” he said.
“I’ve taken part in parliamentary sport for more than seven years, in a range of roles well before joining RWA, simply because it’s something I genuinely enjoy and value.”
National Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858
Australian Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national newswire and has been delivering accurate, reliable and fast news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We keep Australia informed.
