The ACT Integrity Commission is conducting an inquiry into arrangements for lobbying and influence in government in the ACT.
Lobbying is when a person or group of people attempt to influence government decision-makers to benefit their area of interest. Lobbying can seek to influence decisions relating to:
- the making or amending of legislation
- land use and development
- the awarding of contracts and grants
- regulatory regimes, including who and what is regulated.
Lobbying allows individuals, organisations, and communities to present their views to decision makers to enable diverse perspectives to be considered in decision making - it is a legitimate and important part of democratic processes. However, lobbying can create a risk of inappropriate influence where people with the most resources or closest connections with decision-makers exert undue influence over decision makers. This undue influence can result in decisions that skew the 'public interest' toward the benefit of the particular interest group in a way that would otherwise not have occurred and in ways that are not transparent.
One way the risks associated with lobbying have been mitigated are through implementing schemes that regulate, administer or have oversight of lobbying activities.
In 2014, the ACT Legislative Assembly implemented the Lobbyist Register – ACT Lobbying Code of Conduct and ACT Lobbying Regulation Guidelines as continuing resolution, 8AB and 8AC (respectively) of the Standing orders and continuing resolutions of the Assembly.
Members of the public were invited to engage in dialogue on issues outlined in a consultation paper that was open for submissions between 26 March and 29 May 2026.
Now that the public consultation phase is complete, we will move to Phase 2 of the Inquiry and analyse submissions received and develop recommendations. We may hold public forums to explore issues identified in the submissions.
We will then produce a paper analysing the issues identified, including potential areas to reform the existing Scheme and related recommendations for consideration by the Legislative Assembly.
