21/2008
1 July 2008
Cabinet Secretary, Senator John Faulkner, has reminded lobbyists that from today they will not be able to lobby Ministers, their staff, the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force unless they and their clients are properly registered on the Register of Lobbyists.
Lobbyists have been able to apply for registration on the Register of Lobbyists since it was announced in the Senate on 13 May 2008, and 97 lobbying firms representing 300 individual lobbyists had registered by 30 June.
The Government’s Lobbying Code of Conduct requires third party or consultant lobbyists to register themselves and their clients on an online Register of Lobbyists.
“Lobbying is a legitimate part of the democratic process, but Ministers are entitled to know who stands to benefit from the efforts of lobbyists. The Register will achieve that purpose,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The Lobbying Code of Conduct and the Register of Lobbyists are important steps in fulfilling the Government’s commitment to restoring public confidence in the institutions of Government,” he said.
Senator Faulkner encouraged those lobbyists who had not applied for registration to do so as soon as possible.
Applications for registration can be made on line at the Register of Lobbyists website http://lobbyists.pmc.gov.au/lobbyistsregister.
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