Greens call for lobbyist laws

Media Release, 9 October 2007

"Lobbyist legislation is urgently needed to stop the corrupting influence of the likes of Burke and Grill," said Greens MLC Giz Watson.

With the release of the Corruption and Crime Commission's Report into alleged Public Sector Misconduct linked to Smiths Beach Development at Yallingup the Green have renewed their call for laws on lobbyists.

"Lobbyist legislation must cover all paid lobbyists and cover contact with all public officials, including non-government Members of Parliament and local government councillors,"

The Greens want:

• A requirement for registration of all paid lobbyists, not just consultant lobbyists
• A code of conduct for lobbyists
• Coverage of contact with all public officials, including non-government Members of Parliament and local government councillors
• An independent body to administer the register of lobbyists and police compliance with the code of conduct
• Penalties on lobbyists for failing to register or for breaching the code of conduct
• A record of lobbying activity to be published on the internet
• The State Administrative Tribunal to hear complaints concerning breaches of the Code of Conduct.