Political lobbyists with unfettered access to Australia’s parliament to be publicly named
Summary
Australia will soon make public the names of political lobbyists who have special access to Parliament House and the MPs who sponsor their entry passes. New rules will require two MPs to approve each lobbyist’s pass, introduce fees, restrict access times, and increase transparency through an online register.Key Facts
- Political lobbyists with access passes to Parliament House will be publicly named in an online register.
- Two MPs must now approve a lobbyist’s access pass, with the main sponsor held responsible for their conduct.
- Fees will be introduced for lobbyist and commercial passes.
- Over 2,050 sponsored passes existed as of mid-2024, but it is unclear how many belong to paid lobbyists.
- The pass system review was led by House Speaker Milton Dick and Senate President Sue Lines, following a request from the Prime Minister.
- Lobbyists will keep orange passes, while commercial and community groups will get light blue passes showing sponsoring MPs and organizations, but not individual names.
- Access will be restricted to certain hours and days; passes will not allow free movement on weekends or late at night.
- Former state and territory parliamentarians’ passes will be limited to former premiers, chief ministers, and ministers.
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