Register of Lobbyists

The Government has established a Register of Lobbyists and introduced a Lobbyist Code of Conduct.

The Lobbyist Code of Conduct provides that Government representatives (Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Ministerial staff, staff working for a Parliamentary Secretary, and persons working in public sector agencies) must only be lobbied by a professional lobbyist who is registered and has the lobbyist’s details on the Register.

The Premier will also be writing to Government Members of Parliament requiring them to comply with the Code.

The Lobbyist Code of Conduct will take effect from 1 February 2009 and can be accessed here.

From 1 February 2009, professional lobbyists who act on behalf of third party clients will need to be registered with the Department of Premier and Cabinet before they can lobby Government representatives or Government Members of Parliament. Also, these lobbyists will need to comply with the requirements of the Lobbyist Code of Conduct.

The Register is a public document that will contain the following information about professional lobbyists who represent a client's views to Government representatives:

• the business registration details, including the names of owners, partners or major shareholders, as applicable;
• the names and positions of persons employed, contracted or otherwise engaged by the lobbyist to carry out lobbying activities; and
• the names of clients who currently retain the lobbyist or have been provided lobbying services by the lobbyist during the past three months.