Lobbying in Victoria

Enabling interest groups to have access to public officials can allow them to advocate for better policy outcomes and encourage a deeper understanding of issues facing governments’ constituencies. However, the risks associated with improper lobbying have also led to intense scrutiny of the systems designed to regulate the exercise of influence over government representatives. Key concerns include vulnerability to corruption, a lack of transparency in lobbying contacts and the adverse influence of those with privileged access. Recent attention in Victoria can be attributed in part to a string of investigations from the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission that led it, along with experts and other commentators, to challenge the effectiveness of Victoria’s system.

This research note outlines the Victorian system for regulating lobbying and provides a summary of the issues most often discussed in relation to the risks of unregulated lobbying activity. Comparing Victoria’s system to a number of other jurisdictions’ lobbying frameworks, the paper outlines some recent developments and reforms proposed for regulating lobbying and key areas often identified for reform. These include the definitions of ‘lobbyist’ and ‘lobbying activity’, ‘cooling-off’ periods, compliance and enforcement of codes of conduct, and transparency in lobbying registers.