Image from the Hobart Mercury.

Article-MLC’s move to restrict lobbying

July 23, 2026

Hobart Mercury | 23 July 2026; pg 12.

MLC’s move to restrict lobbying

David Killick

Government ministers and senior public servants would be banned from lobbying for two years after leaving office under laws proposed by an independent Legislative Councillor.

The member for Nelson, Meg Webb, has released her private members bill, the Political Lobbying (Integrity and Transparency) Bill for public
consultation.

“This Bill is the next logical step to provide Tasmanians with real and robust lobbying reforms,” she said.

“Tasmanians should be able to see who is contacting the government and policy makers, when and on what matter, in a timely way. This Bill seeks to deliver that transparency.

“Tasmanians deserve an effective, enforceable and fit-for-purpose political lobbying regulatory framework.

“Ultimately, this bill seeks to ensure paid advocacy occurring behind closed doors by political lobbyists is disclosed and brought into public view in a timely manner.”

The bill requires both third-party lobbyists and in-house lobbyists to be required to register as political lobbyists and expands the scope of public officials who must disclose lobbying activities to include all members of parliament additional to ministers, secretaries to cabinet and parliamentary secretaries, and all staff employed in MPs’ offices.

It also establishes a publicly available contact disclosure log and bans ministers, cabinet or parliamentary secretaries, or heads of government departments from lobbying on matters related to their former roles for two years.

Public consultation on the exposure draft bill is open until midnight August 30 via Ms Webb’s website

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