Nationals MP Pat Conaghan Challenges Proposed Gambling Reforms in Parliamentary Address
Ellis Baumann · Aug 13, 2026
Nationals MP Pat Conaghan Challenges Proposed Gambling Reforms in Parliamentary Address
Pat Conaghan, the Nationals MP representing Cowper, stood in the Australian House of Representatives on August 13, 2026 and delivered a direct critique of the government's proposed gambling reforms, questioning their alignment with earlier parliamentary inquiry recommendations that had examined industry practices in detail.
Conaghan highlighted gaps between the inquiry's findings and the reforms under discussion, noting that the measures presented fell short of addressing core issues raised during testimony sessions held earlier that month, while divisions within the Coalition over the direction of tougher gambling laws became more visible during the exchange.
Key Points from the Inquiry Testimony
Former rugby league player Luke Bateman provided testimony to the parliamentary inquiry in early August 2026, describing instances where gambling company promoters supplied him with cocaine and alcohol during promotional activities, and he raised concerns that the industry had not upheld a sufficient duty of care toward individuals exposed to these environments, according to coverage of the proceedings.
Those who reviewed the inquiry records observed that Bateman's account formed part of broader discussions on regulatory responsibilities, and Conaghan referenced these elements to argue that the proposed reforms needed stronger provisions to match the inquiry's scope, connecting related concerns about industry accountability into a single flowing address.
Details of Conaghan's Address
During the speech Conaghan asked pointed questions about the purpose of the reforms as they stood, emphasizing that recommendations from the inquiry had included specific calls for enhanced protections and oversight that appeared absent from the current draft, and he connected these points to ongoing Coalition discussions on how best to balance industry interests with public safeguards.
Parliamentary records show Conaghan framed his remarks around the inquiry's timeline, noting that the testimony from Bateman and others had occurred just weeks prior, which allowed him to contrast the evidence presented then with the reforms introduced afterward, while maintaining a focus on legislative consistency across party lines within the Coalition.
Coalition members have shown varying positions on the extent of reforms needed, and observers in the chamber noted that Conaghan's intervention underscored these differences without proposing alternative legislation on the spot, instead directing attention back to the inquiry outcomes as a benchmark for evaluation.
Context of Coalition Divisions
Divisions within the Coalition over tougher gambling laws have surfaced in multiple recent sessions, with some members advocating for measures that closely follow inquiry suggestions while others prefer adjustments that incorporate industry feedback, and Conaghan's address added to these exchanges by citing specific testimony details to illustrate where alignment remained incomplete.
The parliamentary inquiry, conducted earlier in August 2026, compiled accounts from several witnesses including Bateman, and its findings were referenced directly in the House debate as a point of comparison for the reforms, revealing that certain duty-of-care elements discussed in the inquiry had not yet translated into the proposed policy text.
Conclusion
Conaghan's speech on August 13, 2026 brought renewed focus to the parliamentary inquiry's testimony and its potential influence on reform content, while the visible Coalition differences on gambling policy direction continued to shape the legislative conversation in the House of Representatives, with the inquiry serving as a central reference point for ongoing evaluations.
Further sessions are expected to address the alignment between inquiry recommendations and final reform proposals, building on the points raised during this address and teh earlier witness statements. For related video coverage of the speech, see this Guardian report.