Why the public should have a seat at the table in Qld’s lobbying overhaul
Lobbyists are welcoming calls for further regulation in Queensland after a review found lobbying is widespread, escalating and under regulated.
An interim report by Professor Peter Coaldrake raised concerns about the “dual roles of some lobbyists” who act as clients to influence the state government and act for political parties in elections.
Public integrity expert Professor AJ Brown told Sofie Formica there’s “real risks for corruption” in relationships of this sort.
“In Queensland, we now know the system we’ve got is really not worth much of the paper it’s written on so it’s a very good time for a complete overhaul,” he said.
“You know if the lobbying firms themselves are saying ‘Yes, we would welcome plenty of reform’, then it really underlines and underscores the uselessness of the current system.”
He said the public needs to have a say on reforms to encourage meaningful changes.
“We want to have a good, big public debate about all of this and make sure we have lifted the lid on it properly.”
Press PLAY below to hear the full interview
Image: Nine News