Prime Minister Anthony Albanese finally announced some gambling advertising reform this week, tucked into the end of a speech to the National Press Club with a principal focus on Australia's response to the fallout from the war in Iran, the day after he appeared on national television networks telling Australians not to panic.

Just over a year since its last state election, Tasmania is about to return to the polls, as the beautiful but troubled island state sinks further into debt and dysfunction.

A parliamentary committee led by federal Labor MP Peta Murphy has recommended strong action against gambling advertising, throwing new light on the pernicious relationship of gambling to Australians and Australian politics.

It’s time the federal and state governments in Australia recognised gambling harm as a serious public health issue, Alliance for Gambling Reform spokesman, the Rev Tim Costello, says on this World Suicide Prevention Day.