Greens and independents press Labor to implement more stringent rules for political lobbying | Australian politics

The Greens and crossbench senators are pushing Labor to strengthen the regulation of political lobbying, with the aim of increasing transparency around the influence of vested interests in the Australian federal government. Labor’s recent election victory has given them a majority in the House of Representatives, and the defection of Senator Dorinda COX from the Greens to Labor now gives them 29 seats in the Senate, allowing them to pass legislation with the support of the Greens. The Greens’ leader, Senator Larissa WATERS, is prioritizing the strengthening of federal lobbying registration and access rules, calling it an opportunity missed in the previous parliament. Crossbenchers in both houses, such as MP Allegra SPENDER and Senator David POCOCK, are also calling for tougher rules on the lobbying industry. Senator Waters argues that current regulation of lobbyists and their access to politicians is weak and almost non-existent, allowing special interests to exert undue influence on decisions made by government officials, as noted by a parliamentary inquiry report. Senator Pocock has prepared draft legislation targeting lobbying reform, including stricter rules for former ministers and public officials transitioning into lobbying, and enhanced reporting requirements for lobbyists regarding their interactions with politicians and advisors. The push for reform reflects broader concerns about the influence of lobbyists on public policy and the need for greater transparency in the political process.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/09/greens-and-independents-to-push-labor-for-tougher-regulation-of-political-lobbying