About the Guest:

Tim Costello is an Australian advocate known for campaigning against gambling harm. A former CEO of World Vision Australia and regular contributor to the Centre for Public Christianity, he now leads the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a leading national advocacy group working to reduce gambling-related harm. Costello has long been an outspoken critic of gambling practices and policy, advocating comprehensive reforms to better protect Australians.

Key Takeaways:
Tim Costello criticises the Australian federal government's "timid" response to the 2023 Murphy report on gambling reforms.
Costello highlights a lack of a national gambling regulator as a significant flaw in current governmental policies.
The federal government’s response includes partial restrictions on gambling advertisements.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform calls for unified public action to pressure governments for comprehensive reforms.
Costello urges stronger policies to protect children from the pervasive influences of gambling advertisements in sporting events and media.

Notable Quotes:
"It was a timid response and dropping it while the budget was on was of course a smokescreen…" - Tim Costello
"It's unbelievable that in the nation with the greatest gambling losses per head… we have no national gambling regulator." - Tim Costello
"This is not protecting kids. Imagine if 80% of kids knew Marlborough cigarettes…" - Tim Costello
"The only job for parents is to protect kids." - Tim Costello

Resources:
Gambling Harm | Alliance For Gambling Reform - Alliance for Gambling Reform
Australians share the moment they realised gambling had changed their lives forever - ABC News
Calls grow for total ban on gambling ads as Australia’s annual losses surge to $32bn | Gambling | T…
Government accused of 'burying' response to landmark gambling report with budget day release - ABC …
Australian Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy …
Report released You win some you lose more – Parliament of Australia

About the Guest:
Tim Costello is an Australian advocate known for campaigning against gambling harm. A former CEO of World Vision Australia and regular contributor to the Centre for Public Christianity, he now leads the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a leading national advocacy group working to reduce gambling-related harm. Costello has long been an outspoken critic of gambling practices and policy, advocating comprehensive reforms to better protect Australians.
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>Tim Costello criticises the Australian federal government's "timid" response to the 2023 Murphy report on gambling reforms.</li>
<li>Costello highlights a lack of a national gambling regulator as a significant flaw in current governmental policies.</li>
<li>The federal government&rsquo;s response includes partial restrictions on gambling advertisements.</li>
<li>The Alliance for Gambling Reform calls for unified public action to pressure governments for comprehensive reforms.</li>
<li>Costello urges stronger policies to protect children from the pervasive influences of gambling advertisements in sporting events and media.</li>
</ul>
Notable Quotes:
<ul>
<li>"It was a timid response and dropping it while the budget was on was of course a smokescreen&hellip;" - Tim Costello</li>
<li>"It's unbelievable that in the nation with the greatest gambling losses per head&hellip; we have no national gambling regulator." - Tim Costello</li>
<li>"This is not protecting kids. Imagine if 80% of kids knew Marlborough cigarettes&hellip;" - Tim Costello</li>
<li>"The only job for parents is to protect kids." - Tim Costello</li>
</ul>
Resources:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.agr.org.au/" aria-label="Link Gambling Harm | Alliance For Gambling Reform">Gambling Harm | Alliance For Gambling Reform</a> - Alliance for Gambling Reform</li>
<li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-19/effects-of-gambling-harm-addiction/106685976" aria-label="Link Australians share the moment they realised gambling had changed their lives forever - ABC News">Australians share the moment they realised gambling had changed their lives forever - ABC News</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/15/australia-gambling-annual-losses-ads-ban-calls" aria-label="Link Calls grow for total ban on gambling ads as Australia&rsquo;s annual losses surge to $32bn | Gambling | T&hellip;">Calls grow for total ban on gambling ads as Australia&rsquo;s annual losses surge to $32bn | Gambling | T&hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-12/government-accused-burying-response-peta-murphy-gambling-report/106639176" aria-label="Link Government accused of 'burying' response to landmark gambling report with budget day release - ABC &hellip;">Government accused of 'burying' response to landmark gambling report with budget day release - ABC &hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australian-government-respoinse-online-gambling-inquiry.pdf" aria-label="Link Australian Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy &hellip;">Australian Government response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy &hellip;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/About_the_House_News/Media_Releases/Report_released_You_win_some_you_lose_more" aria-label="Link Report released You win some you lose more &ndash; Parliament of Australia">Report released You win some you lose more &ndash; Parliament of Australia</a></li>
</ul>

Money: Faith & Finance explores the profound and practical of everyday finances. In every episode, we explore the real-life impact of everything from superannuation to stewardship, the World Bank to your wallet – and what does God have to say about money?

Welcome to the profit, loss and real balance sheet of wherever money intersects with you.

Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with Lower Russell and Farr in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings on Hope 103.2FM in Sydney, Australia.

Money: Faith &amp; Finance explores the profound and practical of everyday finances. In every episode, we explore the real-life impact of everything from superannuation to stewardship, the World Bank to your wallet – and what does God have to say about money? Welcome to the profit, loss and real balance sheet of wherever money intersects with you.
Pete Burrows is an accountant for small business and individuals with <a href="https://www.lrf.com.au/">Lower Russell and Farr</a> in Penrith, Western Sydney, Australia. Ben McEachen hosts <a href="https://hope1032.com.au/programs/hope-mornings/">Hope Mornings on Hope 103.2FM</a> in Sydney, Australia.

Money: Faith & Finance

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

This podcast is not offering financial or investment advice. It's always best to do your own research and to consult a professional financial or investment advisor before making any financial or investment decisions.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at <a href="http://www.hopepodcasts.com.au/">hopepodcasts.com.au</a>. And send the team a message via <a href="https://hope1032.com.au/listen/#apps">Hope 103.2’s app</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hope103.2">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sydneyshope1032/">Instagram</a>. This podcast is not offering financial or investment advice. It's always best to do your own research and to consult a professional financial or investment advisor before making any financial or investment decisions.