CCC’s definition of lobbyist questioned in committee grilling

The definition of a lobbyist has come under question as the head of the state’s corruption watchdog is grilled by parliamentary committee.

CCC chair Bruce Barbour

The state’s corruption watchdog has been grilled over its push to significantly widen the definition of lobbyists, as a Labor MP raised concerns the proposal could even include sports clubs asking for grants.

The Crime and Corruption Commission made the extraordinary recommendation this week to remove lobbying law exemptions that apply to interest groups, in-house lobbyists, and trade unions.

The move would significantly widen who is captured under Queensland’s strict lobbying laws – and include essentially anyone involved in influencing government decisions.

As he appeared before a parliamentary committee on Friday, CCC chair Bruce Barbour was asked if he would put not-for-profit and professional organisations in the same basket as standard lobbyists.

“If they are engaged in an activity which is the same, then the activity should be the subject that’s reviewed,” Mr Barbour said.

Labor MP Jimmy Sullivan seized on Mr Barbour’s comment, suggesting the CCC’s proposal would include a sporting club asking him as the local MP for an upgrade to their lighting.

“All that’s being recommended is that there be appropriate records of that to ensure that there is openness and transparency,” Mr Barbour said in response to Mr Sullivan’s comment.

“We’re not saying that it’s inappropriate to advocate.

“We’re not saying that it’s inappropriate to lobby.

“We’re just saying that some people have rules that apply to them and others don’t.”

Mr Sullivan hit back at Mr Barbour, saying the CCC was putting volunteers at local footy clubs, P&Cs, or local domestic violence support groups in the same category as paid professional third-party lobbyists.

Mr Barbour said he believed the community would hold the view that it was in the public interest for them to understand the way decisions were made by government around public funds and legislation.

“Ultimately this is a matter for government,” the CCC chair said.

“We’ve recommended what we think is a scheme which could potentially fill some gaps that we believe are there.”

The CCC released a report last week, where it made a suite of recommendations and warned of gaps in lobbying laws that could lead to corruption risks.

The watchdog says it received submissions for their report that detailed examples of “suspected or alleged improper influence” at state and local levels of government.

The Queensland Council of Unions and the Local Government Association of Queensland have both been critical of the CCC’s proposals.