Premier Steven Miles looking to close recently discovered lobbying loophole

Premier Steven Miles is looking to close a major integrity loophole that has been exposed just six months out from the state election.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Premier Steven Miles is looking to close a major integrity loophole which allows lobbyists to hold secret meetings with shadow ministers, with the opposition confirming he would have their support to do so.

The loophole has been exposed just six months out from the state election, with Mr Miles revealing he was “surprised” to discover that under existing rules lobbyists do not need to declare contact with frontbenchers of the alternative government.

Mr Miles confirmed he would seek advice from Queensland Integrity Commissioner Linda Waugh on whether “those regulations should be changed”.

Lobbyists are required to report contact with government or “opposition representatives” within 15 days of a meeting, but the law does not extend to meetings with shadow ministers.

Existing rules require only meetings between lobbyists and the opposition leader, their staff, or the opposition deputy leader be disclosed.

The loophole was discovered after the 18 shadow ministers were made to publish their diaries for the first time – a change brought about by The Courier-Mail’s push for the logs of assistant ministers to be made public.

Shadow ministers logged several meetings with lobbyists in March – the first month their diaries are available – while some of the corresponding lobbyists do not list the contact with those opposition MPs as they do not need to.

Opposition integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson. Picture: Liam Kidston

Opposition integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson confirmed the LNP would support further changes to integrity rules to close the loophole.

But she also slammed the government for failing to iron-clad the state’s lobbying laws despite having “multiple cracks at getting this right”.

“Every time they’ve stuffed it up,” she said.

“Steven Miles and Labor also voted against publishing the diaries and lobbying meetings of their committee chairs who have significant influence over legislation, and any legislative changes must also include committee chairs.”

The government has faced persistent criticism over its dealing with lobbyists amid revelations two Labor-linked operatives ran former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s 2020 election campaign from the government’s One William Street office. There has been a suite of significant changes to lobbying rules since 2022 amid the government’s reckoning on integrity.

Ms Waugh was approached for comment.

She previously confirmed existing rules did not require lobbyists to disclose dealings with shadow ministers.

The loophole came to light when Mr Miles on Thursday noted LNP transport spokesman Steve Minnikin met with Cross River Rail developer CPB Contractors and their lobbyist, Scott Emerson, in March.

While Mr Minnikin logged the meeting in his diary, Mr Emerson did not log it on his lobbying contact register.

Mr Emerson, a former Newman government transport minister, said he always complied with lobbying rules.