Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2025 (No. 2); Second Reading

House of Representatives · Monday 27 October 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate concerned the introduction of a bill to establish a statutory framework for lobbying transparency and integrity in the federal government. Independent members Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney argued that the existing voluntary code was weak, unenforced, and excluded in-house lobbyists. They highlighted concerns about the revolving door between public office and private sector lobbying, citing specific examples of former ministers taking jobs with companies they had previously dealt with. The speakers called for a publicly accessible register, post-employment bans, and independent enforcement to restore public trust.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Monique Ryan (Kooyong) (Independent) Ind

Ryan moved the second reading motion, arguing that the current federal Lobbying Code of Conduct was ineffective and applied to only 20 per cent of lobbyists. Ryan stated that the bill would create a publicly accessible register covering both third-party and in-house lobbyists, requiring quarterly returns on meetings with government representatives. Ryan proposed three-year post-employment bans for ministers and senior staff to prevent conflicts of interest and the use of insider knowledge for personal gain. Ryan cited examples of former ministers taking jobs with contractors shortly after leaving office as evidence of the need for stricter rules. The bill also included provisions for ministerial diary publication and penalties enforced by an independent integrity commission.