Qld integrity crisis: CCC warns of intensifying lobbyist activity

Corruption risks have intensified with an increase in lobbyist activity since the last state election, the CCC warns in a new report.

An explosive investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog has laid bare the disproportionate access key figures with political connections appear to have to the Queensland Labor Government.

A new report by the Crime and Corruption Commission has suggested corruption risks have “intensified” amid a surge in lobbying since the 2020 election – when candidates were specifically warned about the dangers.

And it also lifts the lid on allegations that individuals or groups may groom key people over long periods in a bid to exert influence over government decisions.

Crucial players could now be called before public hearings, while records held by ministerial offices and MPs will be examined to make sure they are following the rules.

The details were revealed for the first time in a discussion paper on Friday, which included findings of an intelligence investigation into political donations and lobbying.

It also revealed one in 10 public servants in a CCC survey had witnessed or suspected someone from the private sector exerting pressure on an elected official to benefit themselves or another.

The investigation examined and collected information on how the private sector had access to decision makers and how it influenced public policy.

“The CCC’s intelligence collection found there has been a substantial increase in recorded lobbying activities in recent years,” 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.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday. Picture: Martin Ollman/NCA NewsWire

“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.”

The CCC noted that a personal association between a lobbyist and an elected official was not necessarily an indicator or cause of corruption.

But it warned it could cause a conflict of interest and increase the risk or perception of favouritism or undue influence.

“A consequence of this can be the development of policy that benefits special interest groups, rather than policy that is in the broader public interest,” the watchdog wrote.

Multiple reports and investigations in the wake of the 2020 state election have raised concerns about the intersection of the lobbying industry with the public service and elected officials.

Although the CCC’s report does not mention Labor lobbying firm Anacta, the firm – which has former ALP state secretary Evan Moorhead as a director – has come under significant Opposition scrutiny.

Mr Moorhead played a key role in Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s 2020 campaign.

In recent weeks, it was confirmed Anacta Strategies had been hired by Star Entertainment for consultancy services as the State Government considered a review into the troubled casino group, though Anacta insists the work was not related to lobbying.

It was revealed in March there was no tender process for a contract awarded to Anacta from state-owned renewable energy company CleanCo.

There is no suggestion Anacta Strategies has engaged in any wrongdoing.

A firm spokesman said: “We welcome any discussion about further regulation of the industry, as we’ve consistently been calling for the current laws to be expanded to cover the significant amount of lobbying that is currently unregulated.”

A spokesman for Ms Palaszczuk said the Government was “always happy” to look at ways to improve and welcomed the CCC’s work.

“The Government engages with a range of stakeholders in a range of ways, including members of the general public,” he said.

Integrity Commissioner Dr Nikola Stepanov

Labor-linked lobbyist Evan Moorhead

“As clearly outlined in the lobbying code of conduct, lobbying activity must be declared on the register and lobbying activity must be kept separate from other activities.”

Opposition integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the paper was “an extraordinary development for our state”.

“Make no mistake, this is very serious,” she said.

A 2021 survey of public servants by the CCC found more than half of respondents had reported corruption risks associated with lobbying.

About 14 per cent also indicated they had witnessed or suspected someone from the private sector exerting pressure on public service department employees to benefit themselves or another.

The CCC paper highlighted how recent investigations had shown that individuals or groups of people may groom key people over time to exert influence over decisions.

“While there may be no overt quid pro quo, a person who has ingratiated themselves to a decision-maker over a long period of time may benefit from that person’s favourable view of them,” it wrote.

The CCC is now urging the public to make submissions.

And moving forward, the CCC has said it will examine the extent to which public authorities are accurately recording contact between lobbyists and government and Opposition representatives.

“The audit will involve examining the records of a sample of public authorities, including state government departments and local councils, as well as Members of Parliament and ministerial offices,” it wrote.

“The audit will also consider the adequacy of public agencies’ existing frameworks and their policies and procedures for managing and recording interactions with lobbyists.”

The CCC has suggested it could hold public hearings.

Submissions for the discussion paper – “Influencing practices in Queensland: Have your say” – close on July 15.

TIMELINE

October 2020: CCC reminds elected officials in the lead-up to the state election of Queensland’s lobbying laws, declaring “lines between government and the private sector are blurring, with overlapping networks of association involving consultants, influencers, lobbyists and executives”.

March 2021: CCC raises concerns about lobbyists working on election campaigns after Labor lobbyist Evan Moorhead worked closely on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s re-election, stressing the practice was “unhealthy” and “undermined public trust”.

January 2022: Documents relating to alleged unlawful lobbying of former deputy premier Jackie Trad and Transport Minister Mark Bailey by Labor figure Jim Soorley were among those suspected of being wiped from a government laptop following a complaint from former integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov.

February 2022: Reports reveal Public Service Commission chief executive Rob Setter refused to investigate staff contacts with lobbyists after complaints from Dr Stepanov.

March 2022: Report reveals there was no tender process for a contract awarded to Moorhead’s Anacta Strategies from state-owned renewable energy company CleanCo.

June 2022: Australia’s peak lobbying body said lobbyists should be banned from holding senior roles in election campaigns in a move to “return trust to the political process”.

June 2022: Evan Moorhead was revealed to be hired by Star Entertainment for consultancy services as the Palaszczuk government considered a review into the troubled casino group. Moorhead insists the work was not lobbying.