In early November, SIX’s CEO and co-founder Adam Verwey attended Nine’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to directly raise the issue of gambling harm, and the company’s obstructive lobbying, with the board. Their reply was enlightening. 

Outgoing Chair Catherine West responded that "We take our responsibilities [regarding gambling ads] seriously".

West also: 

• Re-iterated that Nine will comply with any changes in regulation that the federal government implements. 
• Confirmed that Nine is discussing gambling ads with the federal government; and if they are no longer able to source income from gambling ads, have told the government that the company would like compensation.
• Stated that gambling is now a small part of Nine’s revenue and has been decreasing. 
• Added that the company has told the government that any restriction on airing gambling ads must be fairly done across all sectors i.e. not only target the media companies but all platforms where the gambling companies could benefit, such as internet searches. 

This interaction was a great reminder of the power of a strategic question, asked in the public light of an AGM. This is a strong tool that shareholders have access to.

It was encouraging to see the media pick up on this questioning - important questions are now being asked about whether compensation could help us finally break free from the onslaught of gambling ads. 

You can view some of the coverage of these issues in the Australian Financial Review, Michael West Media and SBC News.

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With the AGMs of both Nine Entertainment Company (ASX: NEC) and Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) over, now is a good time to do a stocktake of the campaign.

The SIX campaigns team have been keeping in contact with both our campaign partner the Alliance for Gambling Reform, and the team at Wesley Mission who joined us at the media companies’ AGMs last year. 

Both have reflected on how it has been well over 845 days since the Murphy Report was released - a ground-breaking piece of work led by the late Labor Member of Parliament (MP) Peta Murphy containing 31 recommendations to reduce harm, protect children and apply a long overdue public health approach to gambling in Australia. Since then, the federal government has failed to meaningfully act on any of the report’s recommendations and has no clear plan to do so. 

The biggest opportunity for these leading organisations on tackling gambling harm looks like continued strategic engagement with the federal government, pushing them to fully implement the recommendations of the Murphy Report. 

As shareholder activism won't be the core focus for our partners in 2026, SIX will no longer be using shares as part of a shareholder activism campaign. But we will be keeping in contact with the Alliance for Gambling Reform and Wesley Mission, to stay across their campaigning and keep a look out for other opportunities to work together!

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As our shareholder activism on this issue winds down, their advocacy is ramping up! 

Christmas and the end-of-year period is approaching, which is a trigger for increased gambling.

Alliance for Gambling Reform have developed a range of tools to help people urge the MPs who represent you and your community to act now. You can also learn more about the Wesley Mission team and follow their advocacy through their website.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign.