Estimates - Attorney-General - Integrity Commission

Ms BURNET - My question is also to the Integrity Commission. Last year you were poised to deliver a lobbyist code of conduct to complement your lobbyist register. However, it was decided not to proceed with the reform, even though Tasmania was assessed by Transparency International Australia as having the weakest lobbying regulations of any state. Why did the Integrity Commission not proceed with the lobbyist code of conduct? 

Ms McKENZIE - In June last year, the board of the Integrity Commission made the decision not to proceed with the implementation of the new lobbying code of conduct. Essentially, the issue was getting the necessary buy-in and support from the relevant stakeholders to support its enactment and implementation. Further, there was also a resourcing component to it, in the sense that to support its ongoing administration, the Integrity Commission would have required additional resourcing. 

Ms BURNET - Thank you. I'll have a follow up question, if I may. This question is to you, Attorney-General, following on from that question and answer. The lobby register was widely regarded as a positive integrity-based measure and a necessary one, noting we have the weakest lobbyist regulations of any state in the nation. It would go some way to address public concerns about the revolving door for political advisers and MPs from your government becoming lobbyists as soon as they lose office. My question is whether now the Integrity Commission board have decided not to proceed with the code of conduct, and noting that you're a reformist Attorney-General, do you have any plans to regulate lobbyists in Tasmania? Or is this something the crossbench will need to pursue? 

Mr BARNETT - Obviously, the lobbying code of conduct sets out the obligations for lobbyists and public officials in their interactions. So, yeah, July 2022, responsibility for the code went through from the Department of Premier and Cabinet to the Integrity Commission. And then, as the chief executive has just advised, 1 July, I think it was, last year, the existing code of conduct was not continued in terms of the Integrity Commission. And they wrote to all state MPs, is my advice, to inform them that the updated lobbying code of conduct would not be introduced as scheduled. In terms of the goals of the lobbying code of conduct, it's something that our government strongly supports in terms of transparency, in terms of openness, in terms of clarity on obligations of those who are lobbyists and those public officials as well. We've certainly continued to engage constructively with the Integrity Commission, and we'll continue to do so. We've raised concerns at the time about the proposed code. But in terms of going forward, we look forward to working with all members of parliament in terms of receiving their feedback and thoughts on next steps