What is lobbying?
Ethical lobbying is a legitimate activity and an important part of the democratic process. Lobbyists can help individuals and organisations communicate their views on matters of public interest to the government and opposition and, in doing so, improve outcomes for the community as a whole.
Generally, lobbying is a very broad term. For the purposes of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld) (Integrity Act), the term ‘lobbying’ means any attempt to influence the decision-making of a government or opposition representative in the exercise of their official functions on behalf of a third party, for a fee or other reward.
Under the Integrity Act lobbyists who act on behalf of third-party clients must register with the Integrity Commissioner before they contact a state or local government representative for the purpose of lobbying activities.
A ‘lobbyist’ is an entity that carries out a lobbying activity for a fee or other reward for a third-party client, or whose employees or contractors carry out a lobbying activity for a third-party client.
Under section 41 of the Integrity Act, a ‘third party client’ is an entity that engages another entity to provide services such as lobbying for a fee or other reward.
Section 42(1)(a) of the Integrity Act defines lobbying activities as;
communicating with a government representative in an effort to influence decision-making of the State Government or a local government, including, for example, the making of a decision relating to any of the following matters—
- the making, amendment or repeal of legislation;
- the development, amendment or abandonment of a government policy or program;
- the awarding of a government contract or grant;
- the allocation of funding;
- the making of a decision about planning or the giving of a development approval under the Planning Act 2016, or …”
Section 42(1)(b) extends the scope of the definition to communicating with an opposition representative in an effort to influence opposition decision-making, including—
- the making, amendment or repeal of legislation;
- the development, amendment or abandonment of an Opposition policy or program;
- the position or view of the Opposition in relation to a decision of the State government or a local government, including, for example, a matter mentioned in paragraph (a)
For examples of the types of communications which are recorded as ‘contacts’ on the Queensland Lobbying Register view the Contact Log.
Further information can also be found in these factsheets.