tuff_wizard 47 points a year ago

I'm glad this disgrace is getting some international traction. We have weaker laws around lobbying than the USA which is hard to believe.

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porcoesphino 33 points a year ago

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

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porcoesphino 25 points a year ago

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

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Zahille7 5 points a year ago

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.

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null_dot 7 points a year ago

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.

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Credibly_Human 2 points a year ago

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?

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null_dot 2 points a year ago

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.

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