close
MENU
1 mins to read

Greens' bill would out political lobbyists


The Green Party has drafted a bill seeking to let the public know who is lobbying MPs - including one lobbyiest cosy enough to have his own swipe card into parliament.

NZPA and NBR staff
Mon, 13 Jun 2011

The Green Party has drafted a bill seeking to let the public know who is lobbying MPs.

In an item on the bill, 3News showed veteran lobbyist Mark Unsworth, of Saunders Unsworth, whom it said had his own swipe card to enter parliament buildings. Mr Saunders' clients include Sky City, the 50% Telecom-owned Southern Cross Cable, and multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Green MP Sue Kedgley’s Lobbying Disclosure Bill would set up a register and a code of conduct for lobbyists.

The bill was modelled on a Canadian public disclosure regime.

"Lobbying is entrenched in our political system, but lobbyists are able to operate in secret and under the radar, in the shadows of the democratic process," Ms Kedgley said.

"The public has no way of knowing who is lobbying their politicians or what they are being lobbied about. There is also no information available on which lobbyists have special access to Parliament granted to them by the Speaker.

"We believe the public has a right to know who is engaged in lobbying activities that seek to influence public policy."

Australia, Canada, and the United States have lobbyist registers.

Ms Kedgley said the secrecy surrounding lobbying activities fuelled the perception that Government decisions were being unfairly influenced, undermining public trust in the integrity of democracy.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said the bill was part of the party's wider drive for more transparent Government.

"Real democracy should be a battle of ideas, not a battle of who has the best and most expensive lobbyists. The time has come for lobbyists to step into the light.

"I hope Parliament will have the courage to set up a register, and put public interest ahead of vested interests who may oppose this Bill."

The bill will be put into a ballot with other member's bills, waiting to be drawn in Parliament -- a process that can take years.

Once it is drawn member's often bills often fail at the first reading unless supported by other parties.

NZPA and NBR staff
Mon, 13 Jun 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Greens' bill would out political lobbyists
15200
false