Gambling reforms, gas export tax high on agenda as Labor figures gather to thrash out party’s policy stance

Gambling reforms and a tax on gas exports will be high on the agenda as Labor figures gather to thrash out the party’s policy stance.

Hundreds of delegates have converged on Adelaide for the triennial summit, which begins on Thursday, and will determine Labor’s official agenda and party position.

Rank and file members have called on Labor to go further on gambling reform, such as setting up a national regulator, arguing the government’s reforms do not go far enough.

Senior minister Murray Watt said reforms in the sector were being debated in parliament, but expected there to be debate on the conference floor.

“I don’t want to pre-empt the conference. There’ll be people who’ll say a range of things around these issues, but the government has taken serious action already,” he told ABC TV on Wednesday

“We’ve got our legislation before the parliament outlining where we want to take gambling reform ... that’s the biggest focus and we think it will make a big difference.”

The party’s draft platform said Labor would continue to work closely with stakeholders to protect people from gambling harms.

“We recognise the impact that inducements can have on vulnerable people, and we will strengthen measures to minimise that harm,” it said.

Of the 400 conference delegates who will vote on Labor’s 126-page draft platform, 150 will be rank and file members chosen by local branches.

While the platform determines the priorities for the party and its stance on issues, it is up to Labor’s parliamentary members to determine how, or when, the measures are implemented.

The draft platform has reignited the prospect of Labor implementing a tax on gas exports, after a draft item called for wealth from resources to be redistributed to the public via tax.

The government was under pressure before May’s federal budget to implement a 25 per cent tax on imports, before the measure was put on hold due to the Iran war.

Senator Watt said the focus for the government remained on fuel security.

“The best way to do that is that is a domestic gas reservation,” he told Sky News.

“It’s important that Australians do have more ownership of our gas resources, and we think a reservation would also assist with gas prices as well.”

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten conceded a gas tax should be implemented.

“The time has arrived to consider reviewing the taxation on gas. So yes, I think there’s a national appetite,” he told the ABC’s 7.30.

“Aussies are saying ‘How is it fair that gas tax gas companies are making such a big profit? And you know, why don’t they share more of it with the people?’ So I think probably the time is right to have that discussion.”

Ahead of the conference, the manufacturing union also unveiled its own manifesto, calling for more revenue from gas companies.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union document called for a new tax rate for people earning more than $500,000, as well as a wealth tax on assets.

The blueprint also called for the Union Jack to be removed from the Australian flag, which Housing Minister Clare O’Neil was not something likely to be high on the agenda.

“As housing minister, I don’t spend my time thinking about the national flag,” she told Seven’s Sunrise.

“That’s just not what the conference is, is about. This is really about the things that Australians care about.”