The Albanese government’s attempt to ban ubiquitous sports gambling ads appears to follow a familiar playbook. The first step is to come out forcefully, with language that makes it seem as if decisive action is weeks away.

It was the same playbook the government used against Facebook, when the tech giant refused to renew commercial deals with media companies over content. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described that decision “a dereliction of its commitment to the sustainability of Australian news media”.

Jones immediately demanded both the competition watchdog and Treasury provide advice on his next steps. “Nobody should be in any doubt about the Albanese government’s resolve to back Australian journalism,” he said. “We don’t intend to take months.”

Eight months and one parliamentary committee later, there has been no resolution to the media bargaining code. The government is “considering a range of options” to respond, including some sort of levy. Media companies, including Seven, ACM and Nine, publisher of The Australian Financial Review, announced another round of redundancies, citing the code in their reasons.

But the eight-month delay in the news media bargaining code pales in comparison with the government’s roughly 18 months considering its position on online gambling advertising and its harms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his minister have gone from blasting gambling advertising around sport as “reprehensible” to admitting they haven’t been able to see it through.

On Sunday, Sky News reported that any action on the issue had been shelved until 2025. “The government will not be introducing legislation this year,” a spokesman for Rowland said.

“We recognise that this is taking longer than hoped, but it’s critical that we get this right to ensure that future reforms are effective and comprehensive.”

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said it was “one of the most shocking betrayals of the community I’ve seen in my 14 years in parliament”.

Anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello, from the Alliance of Gambling Reform, said the process had been “a fascinating insight into democracy”.