This bill is currently before Parliament.
Government & democracy
The bill would create a statutory federal lobbying scheme covering professional lobbyists acting for third-party clients and in-house lobbyists for businesses and industry bodies.
Senator David Pocock introduced the bill to replace what he and other crossbench supporters described as a narrow administrative lobbying code with a statutory scheme. The official materials say the current federal code mainly covers third-party lobbyists, does not cover most in-house lobbying, does not reveal lobbying activity or ministerial access in enough detail, and has no meaningful consequences for breaches. The bill responds by expanding registration, requiring quarterly lobbying returns and ministerial diaries, strengthening post-employment restrictions, and giving the National Anti-Corruption CommissionerThe head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Under the bill, alleged contraventions could be referred to the Commissioner for investigation. a role in investigating alleged breaches.
The bill sits in a longer debate about whether federal lobbying rules show enough of who has access to ministers, advisers and parliamentarians. Public reporting and parliamentary debate point to three recurring issues: the federal code mainly covers third-party lobbyists, in-house lobbying and sponsored passA Parliament House access pass sponsored by a parliamentarian. Debate on the bill used sponsored passes as an example of privileged access that supporters want made more transparent. access are harder to see, and former ministers or advisers can move into private-sector roles that raise perceived conflict-of-interest concerns.
The clearest criticism in the collected debate came from government speakers, who said the bill went beyond the balance struck by the existing lobbying code and risked treating normal advocacy as suspect. They also argued that sponsored passA Parliament House access pass sponsored by a parliamentarian. Debate on the bill used sponsored passes as an example of privileged access that supporters want made more transparent. access to Parliament House is controlled by parliamentary presiding officers, not by the executive lobbying code.
Introduced by Senator David Pocock, after an earlier House version from Dr Monique Ryan introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from Greens, Australia's Voice, some crossbench members.
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
483 days
Updated 10 June 2026.
Meaning
The bill would create a statutory federal lobbying scheme covering professional lobbyists acting for third-party clients and in-house lobbyists for businesses and industry bodies.
A professional or in-house lobbyistA person who lobbies as an officer, employee or contractor of an organisation, rather than as an outside consultant. The bill would cover some in-house lobbyists where the organisation meets size, spending or industry-association tests. would commit an offence if they lobbied a government representativeThe bill uses this term for parliamentarians, their staff, public servants, agency heads, Commonwealth contractors and Australian Defence Force members. without being registered, unless they were listed for a registered lobbyist.
Registered lobbyists would have to lodge quarterly returns showing what lobbying activity occurred, who it involved, what topic and outcome were sought, and who directed or carried out the activity.
Ministers would have to publish monthly diaries for meetings, events and functions connected to their ministerial responsibilities, including meetings attended by advisers.
Former ministers and senior government advisers would face a three-year restriction on lobbying, paid advice or related work connected to matters they dealt with in their last three years in office.
The National Anti-Corruption CommissionerThe head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Under the bill, alleged contraventions could be referred to the Commissioner for investigation. could investigate alleged breaches, and an independent expert panel would review the scheme within its first four years.
It enhances the integrity of Government decision-making by extending the Register of Lobbyists to include registered professional lobbyists acting on behalf of third parties, services firms, and lobbyists acting on behalf of businesses and industry bodies (‘in house lobbyists’).Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
This clause provides that a person commits an offence if they undertake lobbying activities with or in relation to a Government representative and they are a professional lobbyist, an officer of a professional lobbyist, employed, by a professional lobbyist, or an in-house lobbyist and are not registered.Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
This clause establishes the requirement for a lobbyist to give the Commissioner a quarterly return that discloses the number of lobbying activities undertaken by the lobbyist or listed person for the preceding quarter.Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
It requires the publication of Ministers’ diaries, such that meetings with both registered and non-registered lobbyists are disclosed. All meetings with stakeholders, external organisations and lobbyists that relate to the Minister’s responsibilities must be listed.Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
It extends the post-employment cooling off period for former Ministers and senior Government advisers to three years, in keeping with international best practice.Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
It provides the National Anti-Corruption Commission with the ability to investigate alleged breaches of the legislation.Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) explanatory memorandum
Context
The bill sits in a longer debate about whether federal lobbying rules show enough of who has access to ministers, advisers and parliamentarians. Public reporting and parliamentary debate point to three recurring issues: the federal code mainly covers third-party lobbyists, in-house lobbying and sponsored passA Parliament House access pass sponsored by a parliamentarian. Debate on the bill used sponsored passes as an example of privileged access that supporters want made more transparent. access are harder to see, and former ministers or advisers can move into private-sector roles that raise perceived conflict-of-interest concerns.
Report says federal rules fall short
The AFR reported that a Centre for Public Integrity review said federal lobbying regulation fell short of OECD standards and should include in-house government relations advisers and tougher enforcement.
Australian Financial Review ↗Integrity scrutiny broadens after Coaldrake
Public debate after Queensland's Coaldrake review put lobbying, public integrity and influence-peddling under renewed scrutiny.
Australian Financial Review ↗Lobbying industry pushes back
The AFR reported that the Australian Professional Government Relations Association rejected calls for the federal lobbying code and register to be legislated and backed by stronger regulator powers.
Australian Financial Review ↗NSW ICAC backs meeting disclosure
Ahead of a Senate inquiry appearance, NSW ICAC recommended that lobbyists seeking federal ministers publish their meetings and that cabinet ministers' diaries be published monthly.
Australian Financial Review ↗Ryan introduces earlier House bill
Dr Monique Ryan introduced an earlier House version and argued for a public register, quarterly returns, ministerial diaries, a longer cooling-off periodA waiting period after someone leaves public office before they can do certain lobbying or paid advisory work connected to their former responsibilities. and independent enforcement.
Hansard ↗Pocock introduces Senate bill
Senator Pocock introduced the Senate bill and acknowledged Dr Ryan's earlier drafting work, saying the bill was meant to restore confidence that decisions are made in the public interest.
Parliament of Australia ↗Senate debate shows clear split
Crossbench and Greens speakers backed stronger lobbying transparency, while Labor speakers said the government would not support the bill and defended the existing code within a broader integrity framework.
Hansard ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles. moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles. moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Key criticism
The clearest criticism in the collected debate came from government speakers, who said the bill went beyond the balance struck by the existing lobbying code and risked treating normal advocacy as suspect. They also argued that sponsored passA Parliament House access pass sponsored by a parliamentarian. Debate on the bill used sponsored passes as an example of privileged access that supporters want made more transparent. access to Parliament House is controlled by parliamentary presiding officers, not by the executive lobbying code.
The bill is a private senator's bill still before the Senate. The collected record includes strong crossbench and Greens support, but Labor speakers said the government would not support it. No proposed amendments or recorded divisions were collected for this bill page.
Existing code and integrity framework
Government speakers argued that the federal lobbying code already requires third-party lobbyists to register and disclose clients, and that it sits alongside the ministerial code, the Public Service Act, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Concern about overreaching into parliamentary access
Senator Darmanin said it was misconceived to expect an executive lobbying code to require disclosure of sponsored passA Parliament House access pass sponsored by a parliamentarian. Debate on the bill used sponsored passes as an example of privileged access that supporters want made more transparent. access to Parliament House because those access rules are a matter for the presiding officers.
Lobbying as legitimate participation
Senator Grogan argued that lobbying is a legitimate activity used by community groups as well as businesses, and warned against framing access to parliamentarians as inherently improper.
Further sources
Votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
David Pocock introduced the Senate bill, saying lobbying can be legitimate but must be transparent and enforceable.
Read in Hansard ↗Michelle Ananda-Rajah opposed the bill for the government.
Read in Hansard ↗Steph Hodgins-May supported the bill for the Greens, saying the current federal regime gives powerful corporate interests too much undisclosed access.
Read in Hansard ↗Monique Ryan again argued for a legislated lobbying framework, saying the federal code applied only to third-party lobbyists and left in-house lobbying largely invisible.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
3 speakers · 3 oppose
“The government will not be supporting the Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The government does not support the Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Lobbying is a legitimate activity. And it was a Labor government that brought in the code. It was a Labor government that sought to ensure that lobbyists were well regulated.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“That is why the Greens acknowledge the measures proposed in Senator David Pocock's bill. We must strengthen lobbying rules by expanding the register to include in-house lobbyists.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 7 contributions · 5 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by David Pocock on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
David Pocock introduced the Senate bill, saying lobbying can be legitimate but must be transparent and enforceable. He said the bill would expand who counts as a lobbyist, legislate the lobbying code, require quarterly returns and ministerial diaries, give the National Anti-Corruption CommissionerThe head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Under the bill, alleged contraventions could be referred to the Commissioner for investigation. oversight, and stop former ministers and senior staff moving quickly into lobbying roles in their former fields.
“This Bill introduces several critical reforms to strengthen our lobbying laws and enhance transparency.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
David Pocock supported the bill and pressed for stronger federal lobbying rules, arguing that in-house lobbyists, industry bodies and sponsored passholders currently have privileged access without enough public visibility. He described the bill as a practical package for a comprehensive register, penalties, quarterly disclosures, published ministerial diaries, NACC oversight and a three-year cooling-off periodA waiting period after someone leaves public office before they can do certain lobbying or paid advisory work connected to their former responsibilities..
“This bill would expand the definition of lobbyist to cover in-house staff, industry associations and consultants engaging with government; legislate a mandatory lobbying code of conduct with real penalties for misconduct; require quarterly online reporting of lobbying activity; require ministerial diaries to be published; ensure oversight by the NACC; and impose a three-year cooling-off period for ministers and senior advisers before they can take lobbying jobs.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Monique Ryan on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Monique Ryan supported an earlier version of the bill, arguing that the federal lobbying code was too narrow, weakly enforced and unable to show who was influencing government decisions. She said the bill would create a broader public lobbyist register, require quarterly lobbying returns and ministerial diaries, impose a three-year cooling-off periodA waiting period after someone leaves public office before they can do certain lobbying or paid advisory work connected to their former responsibilities., and give enforcement to an independent integrity body.
“All of those are addressed in this bill. It includes provision for a new, publicly accessible online lobbyist register, which will include all lobbyists.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Monique Ryan again argued for a legislated lobbying framework, saying the federal code applied only to third-party lobbyists and left in-house lobbying largely invisible. She said the new bill would require a public register, quarterly reports, ministerial diaries, post-employment restrictions and penalties enforced by the integrity commission.
“The bill that I'm presenting today, the Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025 (No. 2), establishes a new, publicly-accessible online lobbyist register, which will include in-house as well as third-party lobbyists.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in support of Senator David Pocock's Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I second the motion, and I'm pleased to again support the essential measures introduced in the member for Kooyong's Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2024 would help fill in the gaps in what we know.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Lapsed at end of Parliament
Lapsed at end of Parliament
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Restored to Notice Paper
Restored to Notice Paper
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles. opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles., opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second readingThe parliamentary stage where senators or members debate a bill's main purpose and principles. debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
