Bill

Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2023

lapsed, as at 2024-07-02.

Recorded stages

No divisions recorded. Most questions are decided on the voices; this does not establish that a bill was unopposed.

Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2023-11-13.

The bill would expand the register of lobbyists and impose new rules on their activities.

It would require quarterly reports of meetings with politicians, ban gifts from lobbyists, and publish ministers' diaries.

Former ministers and senior officials would face a three-year wait before they can lobby government.

Extends the Register of Lobbyists to include professional lobbyists, service firms and in-house lobbyists.
Makes it an offence for an unregistered lobbyist to engage in lobbying with a government representative.
Requires lobbyists to disclose ownership structure, major shareholders and third-party clients.
Restricts gifts and hospitality from lobbyists to government representatives.
Restricts lobbying where a lobbyist has a close personal relationship with the government representative.
Gives the National Anti-Corruption Commission power to investigate breaches of the law.

Lobbyists, government representatives, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, and former ministers and senior officials.

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