Register of Lobbyists
The NSW Government 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 Lobbyist Code of Conduct took effect on 1 February 2009.
Professional lobbyists who act on behalf of third party clients 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 need to comply with the requirements of the Lobbyist Code of Conduct.
The Register of Lobbyists is a public document that contains 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.
From 1 July 2011, a number of changes to the regulation of lobbying in NSW take effect.
The revised Lobbyist Code of Conduct can be accessed here.