EFA calls a 'spade a spade' - News

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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EFA calls a 'spade a spade'

By Megan McAuliffe, ZDNet Australia
March 30, 2001
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/soa/EFA-calls-a-spade-a-spade-/0,139023165,120212168,00.htm

Civil liberties group Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) has lampooned the Federal Government's plan to ban online gambling.

In a statement, the group described the intended ban on Internet gambling as "bizarre", "inept", incomprehensible", and "hypocritical".

The conservative Howard government, which is facing an election this year, announced this week that it plans to outlaw online gambling in Australia.

Ironically, gambling service providers can remain operational for overseas users, leading the Association to accuse the government of an "inconsistent" policy.

EFA says the move will create a "fortress Australia mentality" and has accused Prime Minister Howard and his Communications Minister Richard Alston of losing sight of the global nature of the Internet.

"At first sight, the announcement might seem a responsible action by a government genuinely concerned for the welfare of its citizens. But the details of the policy show it to be nothing more than an empty gesture," EFA Executive Director Irene Graham said.

EFA argues that the government hasn't the power to directly regulate gambling establishments in Australia, saying this is the responsibility of state and territory governments which have been allocating licences to online gambling operations.

It has also questioned the government's assertion that it's attempting to protect a gambling-addicted nation.

"The policy will have little or no effect on online gambling by Australians because they will be able to access the estimated 6000 online gambling sites in other countries," Graham said.

The proposed legislation would ban electronic poker machines, casino games, sport betting and lotteries offered commercially over the Internet and prohibit gambling via interactive television and mobile phones.

Meanwhile, plans for the ban have grabbed attention overseas.

A British Web site has expresssed outrage at the decision, calling Senator Alston a "luddite".