State Government introduces Register of Lobbyists

13/11/06
Premier Alan Carpenter has announced that Western Australia will become the first State in Australia to introduce a register of political lobbyists.
The move was endorsed after a meeting of State Cabinet in Broome today.
Mr Carpenter said a register of lobbyists would allow the Government to better scrutinise the activities of lobbyists and whom they represented.
"The reality is that lobbyists have become an integral part of the modern political landscape," he said.
"We cannot stop companies and organisations hiring lobbyists, but we can introduce ways of making their activities more transparent."
Cabinet is due to finalise the details of the model in the upcoming weeks but key features include:

• a central register of lobbyists and their clients available to the public;
• registered lobbyists must regularly update which companies or organisations they are representing;
• a clear onus on lobbyists to declare their interests when arranging meetings with State Government officials; and
• a code of conduct for lobbyists which covers their contact with Ministers, ministerial offices or public servants.

The register will be reviewed after 12 months by a Parliamentary committee to determine whether changes or legislation are required.
It is expected the register will be operating by early next year.
Premier's office: 9222 9475