Integrity watchdog fears lobbyists ‘grooming decision-makers’ linked to Palaszczuk government

Queensland’s integrity body will further probe ties between the Palaszczuk government and lobbyists as it warns corruption risks have ‘intensified’.

Labor outsourced the running of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s successful 2020 re-election campaign to two of the state’s top lobbyists – Cameron Milner and Evan Moorhead (pictured). Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Queensland’s integrity watchdog will further probe ties between Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government and lobbyists as it warns corruption risks had “intensified” since the 2020 state election campaign.

The Crime and Corruption Commission on Friday released a discussion paper on influence and access in Queensland, which raises concerns about lobbyists “grooming” key decision-makers to exert influence over policy.

The watchdog’s probe comes after a two-year investigation by The Weekend Australian, which exposed deep connections between the two major parties and lobbyists who work behind the scenes, overseeing election campaign strategy, party preselections and disciplinary proceedings.

The CCC began secretly investigating lobbying practices in Queensland last year and found a surge in activity on the back of Covid-19 economic recovery efforts. The intelligence investigation found a small group of people may be being given a “disproportionate amount of access” to decision-makers.

The CCC’s discussion paper identified “several examples” where political donors, clients of lobbyists, or people with political or personal associations received government contracts, grants, approvals or subsidies Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

An investigation by The Weekend Australian in April found three Labor-linked firms secured 70 per cent of all meetings granted to lobbyists by Ms ­Palaszczuk’s government, exposing favoured access for those who helped on election campaigns.

The CCC said corruption risks arise when individuals or firms have “privileged access to decision-makers, and may rely on personal relationships and connections to influence decision-making processes”.

Ms Palaszczuk has previously insisted Labor-linked lobbyists had no inside running with her government.

The watchdog has now decided to “further explore” how lobbyists obtain access to government, possible corruption risks and whether existing laws and regulations are adequate. It is also calling for public submissions.

Labor outsourced the running of Ms Palaszczuk’s successful 2020 re-election campaign to two of the state’s top lobbyists – Cameron Milner and Evan Moorhead – even as the CCC warned of the blurring of lines between government and the lobbying industry.

The pair headed election strategy as they continued to lobby government on behalf of corporate clients, some of which were the subject of announcements by Ms Palaszczuk and her ministers before and during the campaign.

The CCC’s discussion paper identified “several examples” where political donors, clients of lobbyists, or people with political or personal associations received government contracts, grants, approvals or subsidies.

“Transparency on matters of access and influence is crucial in such cases to enable the public to have confidence that such decisions are properly made, free from influence and in the public interest,” the paper read.

Months before Labor-linked lobbyists were recruited to run Ms Palaszczuk’s campaign, a senior Liberal National Party strategist and co-owner of a lobbying firm was hired to advise Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner while orchestrating his re-election campaign.

Malcolm Cole, co-owner of lobbyist firm SAS Consulting Group, was paid by Brisbane’s ratepayers to work as a part-time “special adviser” to Mr Schrinner ahead of the March election. Mr Cole has previously insisted he did not lobby council while working in Mr Schrinner’s office.

Revelations by The Australian about the dual role of lobbyists – who help parties win elections then act for clients to influence government – were also highlighted by Professor Peter Coaldrake who is conducting a separate review into culture and accountability in the Palaszczuk government. His final report is due this month.