Integrity Commission plans new rules for lobbyists in Tasmania

The state’s Integrity Commission has proposed greater transparency around the lobbying of MPs and public servants — but not everybody is happy.

Integrity Commission CEO Michael Easton. Picture: Chris Kidd

Public officials would need to disclose contact with lobbyists and the topic of their discussions under reforms proposed by the sate’s Integrity Commission.

The Commission has released a report on the oversight of lobbying in Tasmania.

It proposes new rules under which members of parliament and public servants must disclose when they have been lobbied, by who and on what topic.

It also bans gifts from lobbyists to decision makers and puts restrictions on public officials becoming lobbyists for 12 months after leaving office.

Integrity Commission CEO Michael Easton said the reforms would boost transparency.

“We are taking the opportunity to ensure lobbying of our state parliamentarians and senior officials is in keeping with good practice in other areas across Australia and internationally,” he said.

“It is important that the public has access to information about lobbying activity, so that we can have confidence that decisions are being made in the public interest.

Integrity Commission, CEO Michael Easton. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The lobbying framework we are proposing will mean Tasmanians have better access to information about how lobbying influences decisions made by our elected officials and senior government officials, and politics more generally.

“Information about what lobbying activity has occurred would be made available on the Integrity Commission website, in close to real time.”

Under the new system, lobbyists would also have to declare if they have made a political donation above the Tasmanian declaration threshold and elected officials will be restricted from accepting meetings with lobbyists who have provided them with political advice during election campaigns.

One prominent lobbyist condemned the proposed changes.

Brad Stansfield from Font Public Relations is registered as a lobbyist on behalf of a large number of organisations including Hobart Airport, TikTok, Van Dairy, Airbnb and the Catholic and Anglican churches.

Brad Stansfield for Mercury column. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

He described the proposals as “deeply flawed bureaucratic overreach which will drown Tasmania’s democracy in red tape”.

“They will adversely affect Tasmanians’ rights to interact with their own government, and represent a significant impost upon businesses and individuals’ right to trade and earn a living,” he said.

“In particular, the changes that will require politicians and public officials to publicly detail each time they talk to a lobbyist or business representative will inevitably result in politicians massively reducing those interactions, for fear of inadvertently breaching the code.

“This will mean that the pool of information and advice provided to the government will further narrow to their own bureaucrats, who are typically well out of touch with the real world.

“The Integrity Commission has produced zero evidence to show that the current system is broken and in any way needs changing.”

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Originally published as Integrity Commission plans new rules for lobbyists in Tasmania