Former senator and Victorian Labor powerbroker Stephen Conroy has been appointed head of a new gambling industry lobby group, his first job since ending his 20-year parliamentary career.
Mr Conroy has been appointed executive director of Responsible Wagering Australia, a new industry body backed by bookmakers CrownBet, Sportsbet, Betfair, Unibet and Bet365.
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Conroy's first interview post resignation
In an interview with Andrew Bolt, outgoing Labor Senator Stephen Conroy explained his reasons for his swift exit. Vision: Sky News
The body, formally announced on Wednesday, has vowed to support government regulation that will reduce the level of advertising during sports broadcasts.
The lobby group has representatives from both sides of politics, with former Liberal senator Richard Colbeck announced as chairman.
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The group said it was "founded on a shared objective of ensuring that Australia has the best-conducted, socially responsible wagering industry in the world".
Other government measures it will support include phasing out credit betting and a ban on advertising on public transport infrastructure, a policy recently introduced by the Victorian government.
Mr Conroy, who quit politics in September, will be executive director of the group, whose members will be required to "uphold the highest standards of integrity and probity".
During his time as minister for the digital economy, Mr Conroy was in charge of overseeing online gambling laws.
"I'm looking forward to working closely and co-operatively with the Australian government on their consumer protection agenda," he said. "We share their objectives and we are determined to engage constructively to make it work."
Former Liberal minister Richard Colbeck is the chairman of Responsible Wagering Australia. Photo: Leanne Pickett
The lobby group says it is committed to stamping out the corruption risk posed by illegal offshore bookmakers.
"Responsible wagering lies at the heart of many Australians' enjoyment of their racing and sporting interests," Mr Colbeck said. "Responsible Wagering Australia is committed to meeting that need with the highest standards of consumer protection, integrity and harm minimisation."
Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge said he looked forward to working with Mr Conroy on gambling reform "to ensure that we have strong consumer protections while still allowing people to enjoy a punt".
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