CHAMPION racehorse trainer Gai Waterhouse has lodged a vocal protest over harsh criticism directed at her prominent bookmaker son Tom.

Urging excitable politicians to put the pacifiers on, Mrs Waterhouse accused some MPs of trying to kill off every industry in Australia, adding that if everyone followed her son's example the country would be better off.

"They should stop criticising - all they can ever do, the Greenies and all the rest of them," she said.



TOM TOES THE LINE WITH MUM

Tom Waterhouse was barred from offering opinions during sport broadcasts after a parliamentary hearing last week found he was blurring the lines between bookmaker and commentator.

From Round 1 of the National Rugby League on, he has been limited to talking about sports odds.

But his mother said: "Bugger the criticism. They want to kill every industry in Australia and then they wonder why they are going belly up. I tell you one thing, he is out there working his butt off. If everyone worked as hard as my son Tom we'd have a much better society in Australia."

Victorian Senator Richard di Natale was particularly critical of Mr Waterhouse's appearance on Channel 9's NRL coverage.

"People watching footy with their kids don't want to see Tom Waterhouse ads rammed down their throats, and see pseudo commentators giving odds," he said.

"People are very, very angry at this sport being enmeshed with gambling."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT TOM WATERHOUSE

It's just wrong to have a bookie so involved in the coverage of the footy. It has gone too far.

- Joe Hockey

Wimbledon Drinking Game: 1. Drink every time you see Tom Waterhouse. 2. Have your stomach pumped at the end of every Set.

- ABC personality Chas Licciardello

I would rather hang out with Guy Sebastian than Tom Waterhouse.

- Port Adelaide footballer Tom Logan

Is he a sporting commentator or is he a bookmaker? … Since when do gambling professionals become commentators on sport?

- Independent MP Andrew Wilkie

Just watching Tom Waterhouse sign a young blokes’ jersey. Scary stuff.

- NRL fan AJ Carr

…instead of having the tagline of ''I was born to bet,'' it should have been ''I was born to take money off mugs who bet.

- Journalist and author Peter FitzSimons

Tom Waterhouse has been a lightning rod for the anger that’s brewing about the constant bombardment of betting odds on TV, often when kids are watching.

- Greens senator Richard di Natale

Despite playing a reduced role, Mr Waterhouse has still been the victim of abuse on social media regarding the numerous live crosses to him for updates on odds during games - with people referring to Nine's rugby league coverage as The Tom Waterhouse Show.

Mrs Waterhouse was annoyed her son had been singled out, and said watching the commercials was not compulsory.

"They have got the freedom of choice of turning their television off," she said.

She also said Mr Waterhouse had the skills to be a commentator.

"He is not a pseudo commentator," she said. "First of all, he does a lot of research into it.

"Secondly, he has been passionate about sport since the year dot.

"But, thirdly, they don't have to pick up the phone to have a bet. They don't have to pick up a cigarette and smoke it. They don't have to do anything.

"People have got intelligence and make up their minds. There are plenty of firms out there sponsoring the sport that are selling to the public. But because Tom is a name and we know the name you can criticise it, and that is the problem with the senator.

"Tell him to go and do his research and see how many betting firms are selling to the public."

Speaking for the first time about the watering down of his role on Nine, Mr Waterhouse, 30, said he had not been rattled by the changes.

"It's one of the many things going on, it's just part and parcel of business," he said. "We have a million things on the go and that is one of them.

"I try to have that bit of mum about me of having that positive attitude.

"Whether it is rugby league or other things, people will go, 'What are you doing?' And heckling a bit.

"I just try and take it in my stride and just do it."