The Albanese government chose a moment when 'most' of Australia's political journalists were in the Budget lock-up to release its long-awaited response to a major gambling reform inquiry.

On Tuesday afternoon hordes of journalists were in Budget lock-up, which sees them surrender their phones and be cut off from contact with the outside world as they pour over officials documents before the details can be released at 7.30pm.

Despite having 1051 since the gambling inquiry report was released, the government chose Tuesday afternoon to respond to it, seemingly banking on it being overshadowed by the Budget.

Independent MP Kate Cheney said it was hard not to scrutinise the response to the report that was championed by late Labor MP Peta Murphy, who died in December 2023 of breast cancer.

'Literally most of the political journalists in the country are locked up so it's hard not to be cynical about the government not wanting to draw attention to this,' Cheney told ABC's Afternoon Briefing.

She said the government's reform package falls far short of what the report called for and refers to at best three or four of the total recommendations.

She said it ignores a key recommendation for a national online gambling regulator.  

Peta Murphy presented the report just months before she died aged 50 following her lengthy health battle and it was seen as part of her legacy.

The report called for a ban on gambling advertising due to the harms caused by those ads on TV, at sports venues and online.

On Tuesday, Independent ACT Senator David Pocock also agreed the government's response to the inquiry report was 'disrespectful'.

Leading advocate for gambling reform, Tim Costello, said it was 'very disappointing' and added that Anthony Albanese's claim that the balance is right 'is embarrassing' as there was no checks to stop adults having a problematic punt.

Importantly, Costello said children are also not being protected 'in the interests of foreign multinational sports betting companies.'