Anacta welcomes CCC review as it talks down success rate
A Labor-aligned lobbying firm at the centre of accusations it is too close to the state government claims it loses more pitches than it wins.
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The Labor-aligned lobbying firm at the centre of accusations it is too close to the state government has talked down its success rate – saying it loses more pitches than it wins.
As Treasurer Cameron Dick rejected concerns that it was easier for Labor-linked lobbyists than for others to secure ministerial meetings, lobbying firm Anacta said “the reality” was also that the Palaszczuk government regularly did not support what its clients wanted.
“Sometimes we achieve good outcomes for our clients, but more often than not we don’t,” said a spokesperson for the firm, which was established by former Labor state secretary and MP Evan Moorhead – and has so far this year alone had documented contact with senior government representatives on more than 100 occasions.
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The spokesperson said: “What is important is that the government hears all ideas so it can make a judgment in the best interests of Queenslanders. We’re proud of always helping our clients make the best possible case in a way that is relevant to government.”
The Crime and Corruption Commission on Friday sensationally said it would step up its probe into lobbying. And a bombshell report that accompanied that revelation specifically called out concerns 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”.
The watchdog went on: “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.”
Mr Moorhead served two terms as a Labor MP until 2012, before becoming the party’s state secretary two years later.
During the 2020 state election he and another former state secretary-turned lobbyist Cameron Milner were enlisted by Labor to help run its successful campaign.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli referred to that arrangement last night when he said: “Sadly it’s Queenslanders who are the big losers from a government more focused on repaying favours than delivering front line services and honest government.”
Anacta’s spokesperson said the firm welcomed the CCC review, and was “proud that our commitment to industry best practice of logging every meeting, phone call or text message has meant an increase in lobbying disclosures – a win for transparency and openness in government”.
Asked yesterday about the CCC report, Treasurer Dick denied the government granted disproportionate access to Labor-aligned lobbyists.
“We’ll look at what the CCC comes up with,” Mr Dick said. “We’ll also have a look at what (integrity review chief) Peter Coaldrake has to say and whatever recommendations they make we’ll consider.
“Don’t forget this – we have the most transparent reporting of lobbying activity in the country. That is an initiative of a Labor government.”
According to the lobbyists register, some of Queensland’s biggest companies and industry groups have engaged Anacta’s services in recent times.
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