Voice to Parliament: NRL, AFL, Rugby Australia, Olympics, Swans called out over sports betting

Australia's top sporting codes and teams are all piling on support for the 'Yes' case in the Voice to Parliament referendum - but the Opposition says they should lend their consciences to banning gambling ads during live sport. 

The NRL, AFL, Tennis Australia, Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games and Rugby Australia have all voiced support for the referendum, which is due to take place between October and December this year.

The Sydney Swans are the latest team to voice their support, with the AFL club issuing a heartfelt statement on Friday afternoon thanking Aboriginal players and fans for 'enriching the club'.

In stark contrast, no well-known organisations have publicly taken a 'no' stance, in line with the official Liberal position.

Speaking to ABC News Breakfast on Friday morning, deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley called on these same sporting organisations to support Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's calls to ban gambling advertising.

Mr Dutton used his Budget reply speech to propose a total ban on sport betting ads during match broadcasts. The ban would extend during play as well as one hour either side of a match. 

Ms Ley said: 'Those sporting bodies can take whatever positions they choose... If they're looking at moral compulsion, they might also look at the changes Peter Dutton announced to gambling advertising.

'Big codes with a conscience, I hope they back that in too.'

Ms Ley said her party has no interest in telling any organisation which stance they must take on the referendum. 

But she said there was a distinct parallel contrast sporting codes' campaigning for the Voice and the push to rid matches of gambling promotions.

'As I said, I hope that they reflect on their own consciences and support that,' she said.

'Because I think it's pretty important and I think, it reflects the Liberal Party's family values when it comes to gambling, which is for some unfortunately a crippling addiction, and which we have as a society got to address.'

Mr Dutton, along with the Greens and independents, is calling on the government to do something about gambling advertisements, which he says sucks the 'joy' out of televised sporting events.

'The bombardment of betting ads takes the joy out of televised sports,' Mr Dutton said.

'Worse, they are changing the culture of our country in a bad way and normalising gambling at a young age.'

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has argued the Coalition did 'nothing for nine years' on the matter.  

The Labor government has ordered a review into advertising guidelines, but any such restrictions would be met with significant backlash from gambling bodies.

Mr Dutton also weighed in on the support for the Voice within sporting codes on Friday, noting he thinks it is 'counter productive' for such bodies to advocate a position either way.

'Most fans are really scratching their heads as to why the elites in regards to the administration of the game are taking a position,' he said.

The AFL released a statement confirming support for the referendum after a multitude of discussion and consultation with clubs, staff and players.

'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have long made a stellar contribution on the footy field,' the statement read.

'Their off-field contributions are equally valued for the impact they have made on our game and our community.'

The AFL joins the NRL, Rugby Australia, Netball Australia, Tennis Australia, Football Australia and Cricket Australia in supporting Mr Albanese's Voice to Parliament.