Politics Now Will Labor muscle-up on gambling reforms?
Dec 4, 2025
Anna Henderson, the SBS Chief Political Correspondent, dives into key political debates. She discusses the Albanese Government's push for a social media ban aimed at kids, its potential pitfalls, and the skepticism surrounding it. Henderson also addresses the mounting pressure for online gambling ad reforms, highlighting the challenges the government faces in acting on the bipartisan Murphy review. Additionally, she reviews the damaging findings of the 'jobs for mates' report and questions whether real change can emerge from entrenched political cultures.
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Families' Conflicted Reactions
- SBS spoke to families and found mixed reactions: kids sad to lose connection but parents often supportive.
- Anna Henderson recounts kids in the same room saying social media broadened their social circle beyond the people present.
Political Backlash From The Right
- Backbench and conservative concerns frame the ban as 'nanny state' intervention and free-speech overreach.
- Fran Kelly reports growing pushback inside the Liberal Party driven by libertarian instincts.
Public Support Trumps Coalition Critique
- Despite internal coalition criticism, polling suggests most parents back government action on teens and social media.
- Patricia Karvelas argues the ban resonates with the majority of Australian parents.