Lobbying
NARROWER TERMS
Journal article
The commercial determinants of unhealthy diets
This article argues that to reduce the burden of unhealthy diets, there is a clear need for government-led action to disrupt the balance of power that currently favours commercial interests over public health.
Report
Special report on corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying
This report sets out recommendations for significant improvements to donations and lobbying regulations in Victoria. These recommendations are based on analysis of Victoria's regulatory framework and the experience of other Australian and comparable international jurisdictions and broader research.
Policy report
Under the hood: the truth about Toyota
The Australian government is currently considering the introduction of fuel efficiency standards regulating climate pollution from cars, which would ensure wider choice of more efficient and zero emissions vehicles for Australian consumers. Based on information contained in this report, Greenpeace Australia Pacific holds there is...
Discussion paper
Confronting State capture
State capture occurs when powerful or wealthy interests interfere with decision-making and assume a degree of control over the democratic rule-making process itself. This report breaks down six modes of influence used in State capture.
Report
Selling out: how powerful industries corrupt our democracy
This report explores how the powerful fossil fuel, gambling and tobacco industries are attempting to take advantage of Australia’s weak integrity laws, thereby distorting the nation's democratic processes, to put profits ahead of society's wellbeing.
Journal article
“Part of the solution”: food corporation strategies for regulatory capture and legitimacy
This article details how corporate practices have evolved and changed over the past two decades and gives some definition to what this new political economy signifies for the wider behaviours of corporations producing and selling harmful commodities.
Article
Regulating lobbying in Australia: three steps for reform
Regulation of political lobbying is a significant corruption challenge for governments, according to this article, but if done successfully can enhance political equality and improve fairness of government policy-making by increasing transparency in the disclosure of lobbying activities.
Report
Investigation into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence in NSW
This report on Operation Eclipse is an investigation into the regulation of lobbying, access and influence in New South Wales. It examines factors that could either allow, encourage or cause corrupt conduct, or detract from the integrity and good repute of public administration.
Briefing paper
Improving ethical standards in government
This report calls for new rules to extend the prohibition on former cabinet ministers lobbying government, new enforcement powers to ensure ministerial rules are followed, and greater transparency surrounding the outside interests of civil servants.
Journal article
Regulating the influencers: the evolution of lobbying regulation in Australia
Exploring the history and evolution of lobbying regulation in Australian federal and state jurisdictions, this article develops a conceptual framework to evaluate lobbying regulation based on the form of regulation, the standards it imposes, and compliance processes.
Policy report
Private actors and crisis: scrutinising the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board
This policy brief provides an overview of the National COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board (NCC), as well as specific problems entailed by its appointment process, composition, lack of transparency and lack of legislative underpinning.
Report
Management of the Australian government’s lobbying code of conduct — follow-up audit
The objective of this audit was to examine the effectiveness of the Attorney-General’s Department’s implementation of the recommendations from the Auditor-General Report, Management of the Australian Government’s Register of Lobbyists.
Submission
Grattan Institute submission to inquiry into nationhood, national identity, and democracy
In Australia, trust in government is at an all-time low. The are many causes of declining trust. Globalisation and cultural anxiety are part of the story, as is the changing media landscape. But the actions and inactions of politicians are also part of the problem...
Article
Shining a brighter light on foreign influence in Canada
In this article, former Canadian ambassador to China, David Mulroney, argues that Canada is facing a growing threat with regards to foreign influence and interference. In particular, he warns that China is expanding its capacity to meddle in Canadian affairs. He goes on to suggest...
Journal article
Philip Morris International’s use of Facebook to undermine Australian tobacco control laws
The borderless nature of the internet, coupled with narrow defnitions of advertising and interference, means the tobacco industry still uses online and social media to sell and promote its products, highlight supposed corporate social responsibility practices, and challenge public health views and policies.
Journal article
The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
More than one-third of people registered on the Australian government Register of Lobbyists have previously been government representatives. This article aims to explore the incidence of the ‘revolving door’ phenomenon, whereby individuals move between positions in government and positions in the Australian alcohol, food and...
Journal article
Interview with Verity Firth: commercial interests and public health policy
Governments seeking to implement public health policy often face intense lobbying from industries vying to protect commercial interests. This article outlines some insights into ways in which governments can strike the right balance to deliver better health and social outcomes, and how public health advocates...
Commentary
Australia’s political lobbying regime is broken and needs urgent reform
Australian politics' 'revolving door' is undermining efforts to counter lobbying and potential corruption, and the regulation system is hopelessly flawed.
Audio
Who Runs This Place - The lobbyists
The industries and organisations that get what they want from government. In part two we stay in Canberra and look at the lobbyists, the industries and organisations most effective at getting what they want from the government. We also look at the revolving door between...
Report
Dirty power: big coal's network of influence over the Coalition government
This report analyses the extent to which the coal industry is embedded in Australian federal politics. It demonstrates how coal’s pivotal position in key networks of influence has enabled its interests to remain central to the climate and energy policy agenda of the Morrison Government.
Discussion paper
Point blank: political strategies of Australia’s gun lobby
The Australian public supports stronger gun control and stricter restrictions and laws on firearms. Despite this, there is a real danger of our firearm laws being watered down. This report provides an account of the political strategies of the gun lobby.
Report
Who’s in the room? Access and influence in Australian politics
Powerful and well-resourced business groups, unions and not-for-profits are influencing policy in Australia to serve their interests, sometimes at the expense of the public interest. Stronger checks and balances on policy influence are needed, to make Australian politics cleaner and fairer.
Guide
A toolkit for gender advocacy
The advice and information in this toolkit is drawn from the wisdom and experiences of parliamentarians and advocates. This is a collection of practical tips and policy building advice that will help you shape policy for the better.
Report
The chilling reality
This research set out to find out whether the Lobbying Act is directly affecting charity and voluntary organisations’ ability to campaign. The evidence found that it is.
Commentary
Revealed: the extent of job-swapping between public servants and fossil fuel lobbyists
More than 180 individuals have moved between senior public service roles and the fossil fuel industry in Australia over the past decade - providing a golden escalator for former senior politicians.