In the face of a likely campaign by the AFL against poker machine reform, Greens’ spokesperson for sport and gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, has called on the AFL Players Association and individual clubs to show leadership.

“The likely campaign by the AFL and clubs against poker machine reform is a betrayal of its fans,” said the Senator

“Poker machines are the real footy tax, taking most of their revenue from the battlers who are the heart and soul of the competition.”

Greens’ spokesperson for sport and gambling, Senator Richard Di Natale, has called on the AFL to loosen its ties to the gambling industry.

“Another day, another gambling controversy with links to the AFL,” said the Senator.

Betezy, a sports betting website in partnerships with six AFL clubs, is being pursued by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation for offering inducements to gamble or refer friends.

“The fact that betting companies now have access to club names and colours is a new low," said the Senator.

Greens' Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has won Senate support for a motion calling on the ABC to maintain its broadcast of SANFL games.

The motion won support from all parties and was co-sponsored by Senators Penny Wright (Greens), Nick Xenophon (Independent), Anne McEwen (Labor) and Simon Birmingham (Liberal). See full text below.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (11:57): I, and also on behalf of Senators Wright, McEwen, Birmingham and Xenophon, move:
That the Senate-
(a) notes:
(i) the future of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is in doubt, and
(ii) the South Australian Football Association was established in 1877 (later to become the SANFL) making it the oldest football league of any code in Australia and one of the oldest sporting codes in the world;
(b) recognises the coverage:

Sport spokesperson for the Greens Senator Richard Di Natale joined fellow Australians in celebrating Samantha Stosur’s historic US Open win this morning.

“What a great start to the working week. Sam Stosur’s tenacity and determination on court was truly inspirational,” Senator Di Natale said.

“She stayed cool in the face of an outburst by Serena Williams and was able to comprehensively defeat her formidable opponent.”

“Her US Open win is a great addition to her impressive WTA career record.”

Greens Senator Richard Di Natale says that as well as penalising individuals who break the league’s anti-gambling rules the AFL must show leadership on the issue.

“There is a growing  and increasingly unhealthy link between the AFL and gambling,” said Di Natale.

"Gambling is not just an integrity problem for the AFL, it is something that affects the whole community.”

“The AFL should show leadership by immediately banning live betting odds during all broadcasts and by ending exotic bets, which leave the sport wide open to corruption.”

The decision of the MCG Trust to stop advertising live gambling odds at the grounds during football matches is a big step forward for community values, Australian Greens spokesperson for sport Senator Richard Di Natale said today.

“This is a great decision by the MCG Trust, and we congratulate them for putting kids ahead of gambling profits,” Senator Di Natale said.

The celebrations for the first Australian to win the Tour de France transcend politics, sport spokesperson for the Greens Senator Richard Di Natale said today.

“Like most of the country, I was on the edge of my seat, watching Cadel Evans on the final leg of the tour,” Senator Di Natale said.

“The feeling in Geelong is indescribable – we couldn’t be prouder to have a hometown boy on the podium.

“There must be something in the water around my home patch – Phil Anderson, the first Australian to win the yellow jersey, was an Apollo Bay resident.

The Australian Greens today renewed calls for an end to alcohol sponsorship of sporting events, following reports that a Government taskforce is set to recommend similar measures.

"The Greens have been calling for action on alcohol sponsorship of sporting events for some time now, and it is good to see the Government's own taskforce reportedly recommending action on the matter," said Australian Greens health spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.