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I'm glad this disgrace is getting some international traction. We have weaker laws around lobbying than the USA which is hard to believe.
I would have added these quotes with the title since I think think the title is misleading
Independent senator David Pocock, a former captain of the Wallabies, has been declared persona non grata by the Parliament Sports Club, after he complained about its sponsors including a gambling lobbyist.
Pocock, who represents the ACT, said on Friday he had recently brought to light that lobbyists were “buying access to parliamentarians” through $2500 club sponsorships. The club was on the official lobbyists register, he said
Good on him and that doesn't seem great for Australian politics. Dampening the influence of the rich is kind of important for a democracy if it wants to keep that label or avoid a trajectory like the US
Meanwhile here in the US, states are legalizing sports betting as fast as they fucking can. I think Missouri tried to add an extra tax to bets and say that the extra would go to "education."
I'm not excited to learn the truth about that shit show.
I agree that we have a captured state - parties kinda cant really afford not to take donations from gambling companies.
I also agree that it really sucks to have our lawmakers playing sports with these assholes - that just sucks. I think it's also pretty tone-deaf.
I also agree that it seems like this guy has performed this stunt for publicity, but I happen to feel strongly about this issue so I don't really mind.
parties kinda cant really afford not to take donations from gambling companies.
Can they not?
Is spending so linked that its such a direct ratio?
If so, how are you not already completely owned by corporations?
Inherently then, anyone actually trying to improve the country must pick some lobbyist groups to exclude no?
We pretty much are "completely owned" by corporations, but you could argue about the extent.
For example, I think we're closer to Europe's stance on big tech than we are to the USA's.
A captured state refers to governments that are dependent on specific industries, and all governments are to some extent.
Gambling companies would provide a lot of tax revenue. They also contribute a lot of sponsorship / advertising revenue for sporting events. There's also many millions of voters who enjoy gambling just how it is.
In summary, its not only industry lobbyists, gambling is a deeply entrenched industry.