The NSW Government is introducing a package of lobbying integrity reforms to strengthen transparency, reduce corruption risks and protect the public interest.
The reforms will strengthen the regulatory framework for lobbyists and bolster the investigative powers of the NSW Electoral Commission as the lobbying regulator, giving the NSW public more confidence than ever in government decision making.
The legislative and policy reforms will implement a number of recommendations from the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC's) Operation Eclipse and Operation Dasha reports to strengthen lobbying regulation in NSW.
The NSW Government's lobbying reforms will:
- Formally establish the NSW Electoral Commission as Lobbying Regulator and bolster its investigative powers to audit lobbyists' compliance with the Lobbying of Government Officials Act 2011 and NSW Lobbyists Code of Conduct. This includes requiring government agencies and officials to provide relevant records for compliance audits.
- Extend the Act to lobbyists interacting with local government officials, requiring third party lobbyists who engage with councils to register and requiring all lobbyists to adhere to the ethical standards in the Code.
- Enable post-separation employment restrictions to be imposed for certain government public service roles for up to six months, during which a person cannot move into a private sector role related to their former public duties.
- Enhance ministerial diary disclosures including making them consolidated and searchable and clarifying that disclosure is required for fundraising events involving exclusive or private access to a Minister.
- Clarify former ministerial staffers' obligations not to misuse confidential information and other ethical obligations through updates to the Ministers' Office Handbook.
The NSW Government has developed the reforms in consultation with the ICAC and the NSW Electoral Commission to ensure the changes are proportionate and effective.
The reforms will strengthen oversight, transparency and integrity while ensuring individuals and organisations can continue to easily engage with government.
Special Minister of State John Graham said:
"Today, we are announcing integrity reforms to protect the public interest and make sure that lobbying, at all levels of government, is transparent and strongly regulated."
"People expect governments to operate with transparency, and they expect strong safeguards against undue influence.
"Over the decades, including very recently, we have seen corrupt behaviour targeting local government. That is why it's important we strengthen the protections around lobbying.
"Despite the fact lobbying is heavily regulated for Federal and State governments, that hasn't been the case for local government, and that needs to change.
"These changes, supporting key ICAC recommendations, raise the standard of integrity across government and we hope will strengthen public confidence in the decisions that affect them every day."
