Every Wednesday morning during sitting weeks, politicians, staffers, public servants and journalists gather for a friendly game of sport. It’s meant to be casual, even wholesome.

But recently, that club, the Parliament Sports Club, quietly re-registered as a lobbying organisation. Its board includes the Prime Minister. Its members include representatives from the major sporting codes – and one of its sponsors is the gambling lobby.

All of this is happening while the government sits on a report that recommended a comprehensive ban on gambling ads; a ban that experts say is urgently needed to protect families and communities from the harms of gambling.

Today, media reporter for Crikey Daanyal Saeed, on how a casual sporting meet up became a vehicle for lobbyists, and what it tells us about the gambling industry’s grip on politics.

You can read Daany’s reporting here: https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/30/parliament-sports-club-gambling-lobby/

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Guest: Crikey’s media reporter Daanyal Saeed

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This week, Rick Morton won the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for his book Mean Streak. It’s a huge achievement and we are thrilled for him.

This book was the culmination of years of reporting on Robodebt – a government scheme that destroyed lives.

At 7am, we were lucky enough to work with Rick on a series, which we published in 2023, about how Robodebt was allowed to happen.

And there’s one episode from that series that we still think about all the time – about a woman who saw what was happening and called it out.

We hope you read Rick’s important book Mean Streak – and we hope you enjoy this episode from our series Inside Robodebt.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: Rick Morton, author of Mean Streak and winner of the non-fiction prize at the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

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Anthony Albanese recently returned from a major overseas trip, rubbing shoulders with royalty and sharing the stage with world leaders. But behind the scenes, there were also quiet discussions about a possible Plan B for AUKUS.

With parliament about to sit again, his government faces pressure from the crossbench over defence and foreign policy – while the Opposition is consumed by internal divisions and power plays.

Today, contributing editor at The New Daily Amy Remeikis, on what Albanese really brought back from his overseas tour, and how the coalition's implosion is reshaping politics in Canberra.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Contributing editor at The New Daily Amy Remeikis

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.