Second Discussion Paper now available. Responses due by 16 December 2026.
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.
The first stage of the Commission’s lobbying inquiry invited feedback on a consultation paper release by the Commission in March 2026. Eleven were received during that consultation process.
Following analysis of these submissions and further consideration of key principles, a second discussion paper is now available for comment. This paper explores in more detail some of the fundamental assumptions and principles that underpin lobbying activity, its risks and approaches to regulating lobbyists and lobbying activities.
We invite submitters, experts and other interested parties to engage in dialogue on these issues by providing a submission to us by 16 December 2026.
Download Discussion Paper 2
