‘Bad for democracy’: Integrity Commission drops plans to update state’s lobbying code of conduct

Tasmania’s Integrity Commission remains tight-lipped about its decision to abandon the implementation of new rules for the state’s lobbying industry.

Tasmanian Integrity commission Chief Commissioner, Greg Melick.

Tasmania’s Integrity Commission remains tight-lipped about its decision to abandon the implementation of new rules for the state’s lobbying industry, with the Greens describing the 11h-hour announcement as a bad outcome for democracy.

After Integrity Commission chief executive officer, Ellen McKenzie, wrote to state MPs to inform them that the updated Lobbying Code of Conduct would not be introduced as scheduled on 1 July, Greens deputy leader, Vica Bayley, said the decision was another example of why reform of the Integrity Commission was desperately needed.

“We know lobbyists for the pokies barons, big salmon, logging, property developers, and other special interests are extremely influential in Tasmania,” Mr Bayley said.

“It’s well past time we had some proper rules in place to govern their activities.

“We were so relieved when the Integrity Commission announced these changes. But now out of nowhere they have abandoned their plans. It’s so disappointing.

“There hasn’t been an explanation about why the Integrity Commission took this decision, but we do know Liberal and Labor politicians have actively pushed back on these reforms.”

It is understood that the updated framework would have extended the Code to apply to all MPs, political advisers, and departmental secretaries, and required them to disclose meetings with lobbyists to the Integrity Commission for publishing.

In her letter to parliamentarians, Ms McKenzie said the state existing Lobbying code of Conduct would continue to apply.

In a statement to the Mercury, Chief Commissioner, Greg Melick AO KC, confirmed the Board would not be implementing the new lobbying framework in a fortnight, but did not provide any reasons for the decision.

“The Board of the Integrity Commission has determined not to proceed with the launch of the new Lobbying Code of Conduct originally planned for 1 July 2025,” Mr Melick said.

“All stakeholders have been notified of the Board’s decision.

“The Integrity Commission will continue to administer the current Lobbying Code of Conduct.”

Former Supreme Court Justice William Cox conducted an independent review of the Integrity Commission Act in 2016, with the government still yet to act on dozens of his recommendations for reform.

Last November, Mr Melick gave evidence before a parliamentary committee that the Integrity Commission requires at least a doubling of its $3.7 million annual funding to manage a skyrocketing caseload.

Mr Melick also told the committee the Commission was unable to pay staff what they deserved, which had resulted in a leakage of personnel to other government agencies.

In February, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the government would not proceed with an inquiry into ways to strengthen the powers of the Integrity Commission, which reneged on a deal made between the Liberals and the three Jacqui Lambie Network MPs after last year’s state election.

Originally published as ‘Bad for democracy’: Integrity Commission drops plans to update state’s lobbying code of conduct