Vicki Dunne MLA

 

Speaker for the Legislative Assembly for the ACT

 

MEDIA RELEASE

2 December 2014

 

ACT Lobbyist register - another ACT first

 

In a significant show of support for transparency in the decision-making process across the ACT public sector, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT, Vicki Dunne MLA, has announced the commencement of a register of lobbyists.

 

The ACT Register of Lobbyists will come into effect on 1 January 2015 and follows the Assembly's unanimous passage of a September resolution calling for the establishment of the register.

 

The register will provide information about those participating in lobbying activities directed at MLAs and ACT public sector employees including the organisations represented by lobbyists.

 

"Lobbying and lobbyists play an important role in any democracy", Mrs Dunne said. "The resolution passed by the Assembly Register endeavours to preserve the benefits of lobbying, while introducing a code of conduct and new guidelines that will apply from the 1 January kick-off".

 

Once in effect, all individuals, partnerships or companies wishing to lobby a Member of the Legislative Assembly, their staff, or ACT public sector employees must be registered.

 

Lobbyists will be able to register their details online. Details will appear on the register, on average, within two business days of the receipt of properly completed registration forms.

 

Information on how to register, the lobbying code of conduct, and the lobbyists register, will be available on the Legislative Assembly's website.

 

ENDS