Review Lobbyist Rules, say Greens

Media Release, 11 February 2008  

Following recent reports of ongoing contact between government members and lobbyists Brian Burke and Julian Grill, the Greens have called for stronger rules to apply to lobbyists.

“We need comprehensive legislation to deal with lobbyists”, said Greens MLC Giz Watson.

“Under the current system an unregistered lobbyist can still practise without being penalized”.

“Compare this with doctors, dentists and lawyers where it is an offence to practise if you are not on the register for that profession”.

Ms Watson called on the Government and Opposition to support a Greens motion to review the rules applying to lobbyists.

The motion, which was tabled in the Legislative Council on 4 December 2007, would establish a joint select committee to inquire into and report on the regulation of lobbyists in Western Australia, and in particular to:

• review the State Government’s Contact with Lobbyists Code and Register of Lobbyists;
• consider the application of a lobbyists code and register to apply to contact between lobbyists and all members of Parliament; and
• consider whether legislation is required to further regulate the activities of lobbyists in Western Australia .