Several Australian Labor and Coalition MPs have come out in support of total ban on gambling advertising.

A bipartisan committee, led by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, recommended the blanket ban last year, stating that partial bans would be ineffective. Now, more MP’s have come out in support of the proposal.

According to The AGE, Labor MP Mike Freelander said that “gambling is compounding Australians’ financial hardship and a total advertising ban is a necessary health policy akin to tobacco advertising bans.”

With an election looming, banning advertising gambling is a hot-button issue. Those calling for a total ban now include Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan and Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, as well as Murphy’s successor Labor MP Jodie Belyea.