Skip to content
Gambling, Government Federal

Alliance announces the appointment of a new CEO

Alliance for Gambling Reform 2 mins read

The Alliance for Gambling Reform has announced the appointment of Martin Thomas as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The Alliance’s Board Chair, Sharon Dickson, announced the appointment of Mr Thomas after an extensive, nation-wide recruitment process. Mr Thomas has been working as Interim CEO for the last few months.

“Martin brings great skills, energy, knowledge and experience to this role at a pivotal time for the Alliance and our efforts to achieve real gambling reforms across the nation.”
“While it was a difficult dilemma to navigate the quality and breadth of experience of the candidates that applied, we are confident we have found a wonderful candidate in-house, who has won the position on merit and who brings the depth of CEO experience and the leadership qualities that will take the Alliance successfully into the future.”

Mr Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector previously working with World Vision Australia, Mission Australia, UNICEF Australia and then as CEO of Habitat for Humanity Australia.

He has consulted to the Alliance for the last three years, as Director of Media and more recently helping co-ordinate the Voices lived-experience program.

Mr Thomas said he was excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for the Alliance.“I have already had the privilege of working with the Board and the staff of the Alliance and also witnessed first-hand the wonderful support we receive from the community to bring about gambling reform,” he said.

Ms Dickson said the Board, staff and key stakeholders were looking forward to the Alliance continuing to grow in awareness and influence under its new CEO.

“This is a crucial time for gambling reform in Australia while we await the Federal Government's response to the Murphy report into online gambling, over a year from it being submitted,” she said.
“While the time taken for the government to respond is disappointing, we are not dissuaded from this key area which remains an important area of advocacy for the Alliance in the coming months.”  

Ms Dickson thanked all of the candidates who applied for the role.

Martin Thomas is available for interview.


About us:

The Alliance is a national advocacy organisation which works to prevent and minimise the harm from gambling. Our aim is to remove the shame that surrounds gambling addiction, have the problem treated as a public health issue, and achieve the legislative changes needed to protect our communities. We bring together well over 60 organisations who share the objectives of preventing harm from gambling.


Contact details:

[email protected] – 07 3180 0630

More from this category

  • Gambling, General News
  • 25/03/2026
  • 07:15
Wesley Mission

Poker machine exemption changes commended, though further harm-minimisation reform required

Wesley Mission says the NSW Government’s decision to remove exemptions allowing some pubs and clubs to operate poker machines through the early morning hours is to be commended.* However, while the change narrows an inconsistency in the system, Wesley Mission says it leaves in place operating hours that continue to expose people to the highest risk gambling behaviour, particularly overnight, when harm is most acute. Decades of evidence show gambling related harm escalates sharply during late night early hours, when people are tired, isolated and more likely to chase losses. Treating gambling harm as a public health issue requires reform…

  • Community, Government Federal
  • 25/03/2026
  • 06:51
Climate Media Centre

MEDIA RELEASE: Fire and flood-hit community calls on Federal Government to make big polluters pay for climate damage

25 March 2026 Mount Alexander Shire Council in Victoria has unanimously passed a motion calling on the Federal Government to establish a National Climate Compensation Fund, funded through a levy on major coal, oil and gas corporations, to cover the soaring costs of worsening climate disasters being borne by local councils and communities across Australia. Councillor Lucas Maddock, who moved the motion, said "It was only the luck of a wind change that meant the recent Ravenswood fire didn't reach our family home in Barkers Creek - we hear it was about five minutes off. Our insurance has gone up…

  • General News, Government Federal
  • 25/03/2026
  • 06:30
e61 Institute

NDIS participants work more, earn more and feel better

NDIS participants work more hours, earn more money and report greater levels of vitality than before they enrolled, new research by the e61 Institute has found. Four years after first accessing the scheme, participants were working an average of 1.8 more hours per week, earning $76 more per fortnight, were 5.7 percentage points less likely to be receiving JobSeeker, and reported vitality scores 4.1 points higher than at the time of entry. On the other hand, they were 7 percentage points more likely to be receiving Disability Support Pension, reflecting overlapping eligibility for the NDIS and the DSP. The research…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.