Former Labor minister and factional powerbroker Stephen Conroy’s new job as the head of gambling lobbyists Responsible Wagering Australia has been criticised by the anti-pokies senator Nick Xenophon.



Conroy has been appointed executive director of the new industry body – backed by James Packer’s CrownBet, Sportsbet, Betfair, Bet365 and Unibet – after resigning from federal politics suddenly in September.

Conroy’s new job was announced in the same week as former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell became head of Racing Australia, replacing former one-time Nationals MP, Peter McGauran.

The former Liberal senator Richard Colbeck will chair the new gambling lobby group.

Xenophon told Guardian Australia he would attempt to pursue changes that would stop former ministers becoming industry lobbyists immediately after leaving politics.

He said it was also reasonable to require disclosure of their remuneration.

“I’m not a fan of Donald Trump but he’s looking at a five-year ban on ministers, ... people in the executive [from becoming lobbyists after leaving office],” Xenophon said on Friday.

“I’ll be looking at moving changes to make the exclusion period much greater and much tighter.”

“I also think there ought to be, if you’re a former MP, whether you’re a minister or not. I think it’s not unreasonable to disclose how much you’re getting paid and how much lobbyists are getting paid for particular jobs.

“I think we need to know that. That’s a level of transparency that I think is essential.”

Xenophon also said the gambling industry professing support for responsible gambling stretched credulity.

“The name Responsible Wagering Council is pretty much an oxymoron due to developments in the industry where we’ve seen an aggressive expansion of the sector and with that a massive increase in problem gambling,” Xenophon said.

“By implication, it blames consumers if they develop a problem with what’s inherently a dangerous product.”

