Hon Giz Watson questions the Premier's satisfaction with current lobbyist regulations and the timeline for introducing new legislation. Hon Norman Moore acknowledges the need for stronger regulation and outlines the ongoing review process, indicating legislation is unlikely this year.

AnsweredQoN 911Legislative Council
Asked
22 September 2009
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier

QuestionView source ↗

LOBBYISTS — REGULATION
I refer to the regulation of lobbyists. (1) Is the Premier satisfied with the current provisions to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (2) If yes, is the Premier satisfied that lobbyists do not have a disproportionate influence on decision making? (3) If no to (1), will the Premier introduce legislation to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE

AnswerView source ↗

It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(1) Is the Premier satisfied with the current provisions to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (2) If yes, is the Premier satisfied that lobbyists do not have a disproportionate influence on decision making? (3) If no to (1), will the Premier introduce legislation to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(2) If yes, is the Premier satisfied that lobbyists do not have a disproportionate influence on decision making? (3) If no to (1), will the Premier introduce legislation to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(3) If no to (1), will the Premier introduce legislation to regulate the activities of lobbyists? (4) If yes to (3), when? (5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(4) If yes to (3), when? (5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(5) Given that the government has had almost 12 months, why is it taking so long to introduce legislation? I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
I wrote this question before the urgency motion was moved! Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
It is a good thing that we are having a couple of hours’ debate on lobbyists today. (1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.
(1)-(3) In the Liberal Party’s policy statement “Government Accountability and Public Sector Management”, concern was expressed about the activities of a few high-profile lobbyists, and an indication was given that the government would legislate to register and monitor the activities of lobbyists. Although the government considers that the current Contact with Lobbyists Code has assisted in providing a more transparent system with respect to lobbying, we intend to strengthen the current code by introducing legislation. (4)-(5) The Public Sector Commissioner has recently consulted with a range of people, including lobbyists currently listed in the Register of Lobbyists, public sector agencies and ministerial offices. In addition, it is reviewing the current provisions regarding lobbyists in other Australian jurisdictions and overseas. The legislation will be the first in Australia. Very few other countries have introduced statutory regulation of lobbyists. Due to the complexity of the matters to be included within the legislation, it will take time to prepare and is unlikely to be introduced into Parliament this year.

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