Lobbyists code of conduct

Purpose

The purpose of the Lobbyists Code of Conduct is to provide standards of conduct for lobbyists. The standards are designed to ensure that contact between lobbyists and government and opposition representatives is carried out in accordance with public expectations of transparency and integrity.

Lobbyists must comply with the code.

As required under the Integrity Act 2009, the Integrity Commissioner consults with the Parliamentary Finance and Administration Committee about proposed changes to the content of the code.

History

The Integrity Commissioner approved a Lobbyists Code of Conduct in March 2010.  The Lobbyists Code of Conduct replaced the Queensland Contact with Lobbyists Code and supplements the provisions of the Integrity Act relating to lobbyists.

In late 2012, the Right to Information and Integrity (Openness and Transparency) Amendment Act 2012 amended section 68 of the Act to state that the Lobbyists Code of Conduct could impose obligations on lobbyists to give the Integrity Commissioner information about lobbying activities carried out by them. On 1 April 2013, the original code was withdrawn and a new code issued.

The code now includes a requirement for lobbyists to document their contacts with government and opposition representatives. View the register of contacts.