Tw o i n f i v e A u s t r a l i a n s

Three-quarters of Australians have gambled at least once in the past year while almost two in five gamble weekly, new data shows

The Australian Gambling Research Centre found lotteries and scratchies were the most common products used (64 per cent), followed by racing (38 per cent), sports betting (34 per cent) and pokies (33 per cent)

Almost half of those who gambled were classified as being at some risk of gambling harm, including mental health issues and unmanageable debt.

When it comes to gambling ads, threequarters of Australian adults reported seeing or hearing sports or race betting advertisements at least once a week in the past 12 months. Two in five were exposed to those ads four or more times a week

Twenty-one per cent of people were prompted to start betting for the first time after seeing an ad, while 34 per cent increased the amount they spent.

“Exposure to wagering advertising is leading to riskier betting behaviour and escalating the likelihood of experiencing gambling harms,” the research centre’s executive manager Rebecca Jenkinson said.

“The report also captures the concerns of the Australian public that wagering advertising normalises gambling activity. Seventy-seven per cent of Australians believe there are too many opportunities to gamble, while 59 per cent say it should be discouraged

The Albanese Government has said it is committed to reducing gambling harm From this week, consistent messaging will be used across the country while wagering service staff will be required to complete new training around gambling harm

In the coming months, the Government will also implement the first national selfexclusion register called BetStop Communication Minister Michelle Rowland said the programme will allow people to exclude themselves from all licensed interactive wagering services.

“He embodies all that's best about the Australian Labor Party," the prime minister said of Mr Minns. "His vision is one that always has people at its heart ”

Domenic Perrottet, who became Liberal Premier 18 months ago after Gladys Berejiklian quit amid a corruption probe, had sought a fourth term for the Coalition “And, as a result, I will be standing down as the Parliamentary Liberal Party leader," he said

The new Premier was at Government House for the swearing-in ceremony conducted by the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley

South Australia and the assisted dying law

Six people have ended their lives using the State of South Australia's new voluntary assisted dying laws, authorities have confirmed.

The new laws came into operation six weeks ago after 17 attempts over more than 25 years to get legislation through state parliament SA Health reported that 32 people had since made an initial request as part of the process.

Among those, 11 permits had been issued, allowing people to access the necessary medication

SA Health said at least six people had died after being administered or self-administering the medication

The assisted dying system includes a provision that people wishing to die must be a South Australian resident for at least 12 months A terminal diagnosis and a life expectancy of fewer than six months, or 12 months for a person with a neurodegener- ative disease, must be confirmed for a patient to access the procedure

The laws also require patients to show they have decision-making capacity and are capable of informed consent and to undergo an assessment by two independent medical practitioners.

They must have their request verified by independent witnesses and be experiencing intolerable suffering that cannot be relieved A patient will be required to make three separate requests, including one in writing

SA Health also confirmed that 44 doctors had so far completed the mandatory voluntary assisted dying training, while a further 54 had registered to do so