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.

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.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s management of the Australian government’s Register of Lobbyists. It suggests that improvements could be made to communications, compliance management and evaluation for the code and the register.

Media analysis in this report shows that over the last year, the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has overwhelmingly focused its energy on promoting coal and opposing cleaner energy sources like renewables.

Imagine Tony Abbott resigned to become a lobbyist tomorrow. He would be seeking to influence the political position of his party for his commercial benefit and the commercial advantage of his clients over their competitors. And if he did, he would be completely within the rules.