Annastacia Palaszczuk indicates rules around lobbyists to tighten within weeks

Annastacia Palaszczuk has flagged lobbying laws could change within weeks as the state government sweats on the outcome of a landmark report into its integrity.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has indicated lobbying laws could be tightened to capture so-called “consultants” within weeks as the state government sweats on the outcome of a landmark report into its integrity.

The Crime and Corruption Commission on Friday added to the pressure on the government by revealing the risk of corruption had “intensified” due to increasing lobbying activity.

The watchdog has opened submissions on the practice and warned it could hold public hearings.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has indicated changes to lobbying laws could be coming within weeks. Picture: John Gass

Its bombshell paper came just days after a Labor-controlled parliamentary committee rejected recommendations to strengthen lobbying laws and tighten the definition of lobbyists.

Questioned about whether the CCC’s bombshell paper deserved immediate action on lobbying, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declared the government was still “looking very seriously at some of these issues”.

“I welcome the fact that there’s a discussion paper that has been put out by the CCC,” she said.

However, Ms Palaszczuk flagged action on the issue of intensifying practice following the release of Peter Coaldrake’s review into government integrity, which is expected to be handed down next week.

“I absolutely do believe that we need to tighten up some of those definitions around lobbyists because there are people at the moment who are acting as in-house counsel or consultants that need to be captured,” the Premier said.

“We are absolutely looking at that, just waiting to see Peter Coaldrake’s report.”

Ms Palaszczuk’s former deputy chief of staff, Denise Spinks, caused controversy after it was revealed she was hired by Labor-linked lobbying firm Anacta Strategies just two months after resigning from the Premier’s office in September.

The Palaszczuk government’s involvement with lobbyists is again being questioned amid new details about how government ministers, including Ms Palaszczuk, were convinced to abandon their plans for a second Gold Coast casino.

It was revealed Labor-linked lobbyist Evan Moorhead was hired by Star Entertainment as a consultant after working in Ms Palaszczuk’s office, while the Premier attended dinner at the home of the casino group’s in-house lobbyist Alison Smith.

Labor-linked lobbyist Evan Moorhead. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Mr Moorhead insists his firm never spoke with the state government about any casino matters and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.

Star Entertainment had pledged to deliver a $100m upgrade to the government-owned Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in return of retaining gaming exclusivity – however both parties walked away after being unable to reach an agreement.

Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate suggested a second casino licence could be put up for grabs on the glitter strip.

“Three years on and the second licence for a Global Tourism Hub has been withdrawn so our city is no better off,” he said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Adam Head

While Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace and Hard Rock had previously shown interest in the second Gold Coast licence, the state government said would not revive the market process for a second casino.

A Star Entertainment spokesman said the company was unable to reach an agreement with the state which would have guaranteed the convention centre upgrade.

“The Star and its partners remain committed to southeast Queensland through the delivery of multi-billion dollar developments in Brisbane and the Gold Coast aimed at driving tourism and a range of other economic benefits including thousands of jobs,” he said.