Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung senator Lidia Thorpe has urged the Australian federal government to ban gambling ads “if they are serious” about addressing disadvantage for First Peoples.

On Monday the independent senator for Victoria said the government must follow through and implement a total ban on gambling advertising, pointing out that “anything less would contradict Labor’s stated commitment to closing the gap”.

Senator Thorpe noted that Victoria’s Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation estimates First Peoples are 10-20 times more likely to be impacted by gambling harm, and that the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation says all forms of gambling entrench already existing poverty among First Peoples.

“Gambling harm disproportionately impacts First Peoples in this country. It’s critical that the government listens to First Peoples on this issue, and not just big betting corporations and media moguls,” Senator Thorpe said.

“We’ve recently seen the Prime Minister and the Indigenous Australians minister talking about how they want to prioritise economic empowerment for First Peoples. But how can they be serious about that while giving this industry free reign to destroy more people’s lives?

“They know about the links between gambling and suicide, domestic violence, substance misuse, homelessness, neglect of children, and how gambling can be a driver of property theft offenses. The list goes on.”

Senator Thorpe said the government needs to walk the walk on tackling disadvantage.