‘Undue influence’: Too much access to Qld decision-makers, says corruption watchdog

Queensland’s corruption watchdog is expanding a probe into the work of lobbyists in the state, saying investigations had already revealed that some with ‘longstanding political and personal connections’ may have had an impact on government decisions.

A small number of “key groups” and individuals – including some with close political connections – appear to have a “disproportionate” amount of access to government decision-makers in Queensland.

The troubling findings have been made off the back of an intelligence investigation launched by the state’s corruption watchdog, as it steps up its probe into how the government is influenced by lobbyists.

The Crime and Corruption Commission revealed on Friday it would audit ministers and MPs’ offices to determine if they are properly recording their interactions with lobbyists, as it released a new discussion paper.

They also revealed how they had launched an intelligence investigation last year, to examine and collect information on how the private sector had access to decision-makers and how it influenced policy.

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

The Crime and Corruption Commission says it will audit ministers and MPs’ offices to determine if they are properly recording their interactions with lobbyists. Picture: iStock

“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.”

According to a survey the CCC did of public servants in 2021, more than half of respondents reported a corruption risk associated with lobbying.

About one in 10 also indicated they had witnessed or suspected someone from the private sector exerting pressure on an elected official to benefit themselves or another.

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

But it warned it could spark a conflict of interest and even 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,” they wrote in their discussion paper.

The CCC has announced it will investigate how accurately public authorities were recording contacts between lobbyists and government and opposition representatives.

This will include looking at records held by ministerial offices, MPs, state government departments and councils.

The CCC called on the public to make submissions to its discussion paper.