The Australian Greens and prominent crossbench independents, including Larissa Waters, Allegra Spender, and David Pocock, are vowing to use their balance of power in the Senate to pressure the Labor government for stronger regulation of political lobbying. They argue that current rules are weak, allowing undue influence from vested interests and diminishing public trust, citing a parliamentary inquiry report that found the existing lobbyist register captures only a small fraction of the industry.
Greens and independents to push Labor for tougher regulation of political lobbying
Australian politicsLabor partyAustralian GreensDavid PocockAllegra SpenderAustralia
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Australian Greens and prominent crossbench independents, including Larissa Waters, Allegra Spender, and David Pocock, are vowing to use their balance of power in the Senate to pressure the Labor government for stronger regulation of political lobbying. They argue that current rules are weak, allowing undue influence from vested interests and diminishing public trust, citing a parliamentary inquiry report that found the existing lobbyist register captures only a small fraction of the industry.
Trending- 1 Labor's thumping election win gave them a historic majority in the House of Representatives
- 2 Final results in the Senate and Dorinda Cox's defection gave Labor 29 seats, allowing legislation with Greens' 10 votes
- 3 Parliamentary inquiry report released last year showed lobbyist register captured small slice of industry
- 4 Mid-2024: More than 2,050 sponsored passes for Parliament House
- 5 Greens leader Larissa Waters stated strengthening lobbyist register is a priority
- 6 Crossbenchers Allegra Spender and David Pocock supported the push
- 7 Senator Pocock has draft legislation to improve lobbying rules
- Increased transparency and probity around vested interests
- Potential for stronger regulation of lobbying
- Reduced undue influence over official decision-making
- Increased public trust in government
- Risk of major parties being captured by vested interests if no action is taken
What: The Greens and crossbench independents plan to push the Labor government for tougher regulation of political lobbying in Australia.
When: Current (ongoing push), last parliament (missed opportunity), mid-2024 (sponsored passes data), last term (Labor's failure on gambling advertising).
Where: Canberra, Australia (federal parliament, House of Representatives, Senate, New South Wales).
Why: To increase transparency and probity around vested interests' access to politicians, address weak and effectively nonexistent lobbying regulation, prevent undue influence over decision-making, and restore public trust in government.
How: The Greens and independents will use their balance of power in the Senate to negotiate with Labor, advocating for strengthening the federal lobbyist register, improving rules on access to ministers and department heads, and potentially introducing draft legislation (like Senator Pocock's bill) for quarterly updates from lobbyists, extended lobbying bans for former officials, and NACC investigative powers.