CCC launches lobbying audit amid surge and ‘disproportionate’ access

Queensland’s anti-corruption agency has announced an audit of public records involving lobbying activity after a recent surge and the appearance of “disproportionate” access for some with close links to government decision-makers.

The Crime and Corruption Commission’s exploration of the issue, unlike typical investigations focused on identifying particular incidents or individuals, will instead seek to “understand and examine” vulnerabilities in existing processes.

The CCC’s work will include information gleaned from an audit of state and council records — including the offices of government and opposition MPs, ministers and departments.Credit: Robert Rough

Information gleaned from an audit of state and council records of lobbying activity — including the offices of government and opposition MPs, ministers and departments — to gauge their accuracy, along with targeted stakeholder engagement and public submissions, will inform the work.

“[This] will allow the CCC to proactively assess and identify any activity or associations that may put the public interest at risk, and if further consideration of the issues is warranted,” a discussion paper published on Friday said.

The agency said such future action could include a public hearing to “explore issues and seek evidence from relevant parties”, a further public report, or the use of “other powers available to the CCC” to examine the issue.

Stakeholders set to be contacted include current and former lobbying firms and clients, government officials on the other side of their approaches, and other relevant bodies or groups. Submissions will close on July 15.

The move, sparked by what the CCC described as recent investigations and intelligence, comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny around the lobbying sector and the ties between former staffers and Labor figures and the now third-term Palaszczuk Labor government.

After a rare public statement to candidates ahead of the 2020 state election about the dangers of improper influence, the CCC said the corruption risks associated with lobbying activity had since “intensified”.

“The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated economic recovery efforts, appear to have contributed to the recent surge in lobbying activities in Queensland,” the paper said.

“Additionally, the collection found that a small number of key groups and individuals appear to have a disproportionate amount of access to government decision-makers and may be using these relationships to influence government decisions.

“In some instances, the individuals or groups afforded access have longstanding and close political or personal connections with the decision-makers or government they are seeking to influence. Further, in some circumstances these individuals have been engaged by a political party or government agency while still involved in influencing practices, such as lobbying.”

A recent Brisbane Times analysis of all data held on the lobbying regulator’s publicly available contact log showed almost 4000 interactions between the clients of lobbyists, many of whom are paid for their services, had been reported between January 2013 and 2022 — or about 35 a month. Across 2021, that figure jumped to an average of 125 a month.

The top three most prolific lobbying firms in the state are also run by Labor-linked identities including former state party secretaries and Palaszczuk staffers.

Two of these, Anacta’s Evan Moorhead and Cameron Milner of Next Level Strategic Services, were brought in by Labor to help run the government’s 2020 third-term re-election campaign — sparking several warnings since about the risks of such a practice.

Opposition integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the CCC move was “very serious” and represented a “Pandora’s box” being opened into the dealings of the government.

A spokesman for the Premier said: “The government is always happy to look at ways to improve and welcomes the CCC’s work.”

A four-month review into the culture and accountability of the Queensland public sector, led by Professor Peter Coaldrake AO, is also considering elements of lobbying influence, and is expected to publish a final report this month.

The government is also yet to provide a response to a five-yearly review of the functions of the state’s lobbying regulator at the centre of a CCC investigation itself, the Queensland Integrity Commissioner, which made recommendations to strengthen regulation.

The Morning Edition newsletter is your guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.