The lobbying industry is pushing back against calls by the Centre for Public Integrity for the federal lobbyists’ code and register to be legislated, and a new stand-alone regulator be given powers to fine, remove parliamentary access passes or imprison lobbyists for serious breaches.

The Australian Professional Government Relations Association (APGRA), which represents lobbyists, accused the centre of being out of date with contemporary lobbying practice and not understanding how government works.