Lobbyists free to play Victorian party kingmakers

Victorian lobbyists can engage in political preselections and spruik business clients to MPs.

Lobbyist Mat Hilakari. Picture: Damon Johnston

Victorian political lobbyists are not banned from participating in the preselection processes of MPs they could potentially later lobby on behalf of business clients.

The lobbyist register’s code of conduct makes only passing reference to political affiliations and the internal party activities of powerbrokers, despite the potential for a real or perceived conflict of interest to emerge.

The rules state lobbyists should “observe the principle” to keep “strictly separate from their duties and activities as lobbyists any personal activity or involvement on behalf of a political party”.

The political activities of lobbyists have been brought into focus by Wednesday’s report in The Australian revealing three Labor-aligned lobbyists were playing key roles in ALP talks to carve up state seats ahead of the 2022 election.

Victoria’s Public Sector Commissioner Adam Fennessy, the watchdog responsible for the register, said his office expected “that all lobbyists act in accordance with the code of conduct”.

“The Register of Lobbyists must be maintained in accordance with the Victorian Government Professional Lobbyist Code of Conduct issued by the Premier,” he said.

“The Department of Premier and Cabinet has policy responsibility for the issuing of this code of conduct and the requirements it places on lobbyists.”

Three registered lobbyists linked to the Socialist Left have been unmasked as attending preselection talks on Monday at the Transport Workers Union headquarters.

Lobbyists Mat Hilakari, Alan Griffin and Kosmos Samaras were locked in talks for two hours aimed at delivering an agreement that could determine the future of multiple Labor MPs, including several ministers.

Mr Griffin is listed three times on the register for Aroca, Civic and Alan Griffin with the firms detailing an extensive list of dozens of clients across retail, infrastructure, education and superannuation industries.

On August 15, the former federal Labor MP’s namesake lobbying company listed five businesses as clients, including Vicinity Centres, a shopping centre giant with $22bn in retail assets under management across 61 shopping centres. Mr Griffin’s other lobbying firms list clients including McDonald’s Australia and recruit­ment firm Apply Direct.

Despite joining the lobbyist register only on September 7 this year, Mr Samaras’ firm, RedBridge, has listed 50 business clients ranging from the Bruce Mathieson Group and property companies like Cadence, Grollo Homes, Villawood, Intrapac Property, MFJ Constructions, Oliver Hume Property Funds and the Stamoulis Property Group.

RedBridge also counts Avalon Airport and Bacchus Marsh Grammar among its clients.

Mr Hilakari listed lobbying firm The Shape Agency, with two clients; Incolink and Professionals Australia.

The Victorian lobbyist register lists more than 130 individuals and companies, many with former and current affiliations to the ALP and the Liberal Party.

“Lobbyists and government affairs directors can enhance the strength of our democracy by assisting individuals and organisations with advice on public policy processes and facilitating contact with relevant government representatives,” the register’s code of conduct states. “Lobbyists … have a duty to act ethically … according to the highest standards of professional conduct.”