It's not just the 15 on Speaker's list – ex-MPs-turned-lobbyists get parliamentary access too

UPDATE / July 26:  An interesting point was made by the commenter "Half the story" (see #15 in Comments below):

What is being overlooked is that these are only some of the lobbyists. Saunders Unsworth has a fourth principal,Roger Sowry, who does not need a special card because he is an ex-MP. So too, Stephen Franks, Pete Hodgson, Sir Geoffrey Palmer and every other ex-MP who wants to wander into parliament just for a chat, or to represent clients' interests.

NBR ONLINE put this comment to the Speaker's office.

A spokeswoman replied: "I can confirm that all former MPs have access to Parliament Buildings."

The spokeswoman stressed access was to public spaces within parliament buildings.

"If they wish to visit the office of a minister or MP they require permission from that minister or MP."

Ex-MPs can arrange access through parliament's security admin rather than going through the Speaker's office, the spokeswoman said.

But while Mr Sowry has the right to an access card, he told NBR he had never taken it up.

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Speaker releases list of lobbyists, and others, with card access to parliament

July 25: Ahead of the introduction of a Green-sponsored private member's bill against lobbying, Speaker Lockwood Smith has released a list of the 15 people with card access to parliament – allowing them to skirt the usual security screening.

As expected, the list includes high-profile lobbyists like Sky TV's Tony O'Brien, and Saunders Unsworth's eponymous partners.

But it also shows the left is not immune to the baubles – or at least swipe card – of power, with CTU president Helen Kelly featuring.

The list also includes the spouses of two ex-cabinet ministers, and hard-luck case Jordan Williams.

Mr Williams' campaign against MMP in the recent referendum was singularly unsuccessful, proving that while a swipe card gets you in the door it does not guarantee keys to the kingdom.

Speaking of keys to the kingdom, the list is rounded off by Pastor Rasik Ranchord, who runs the Parliamentary Breakfast prayer group.

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RAW DATA: The Speaker's statement:

Parliament’s Speaker, Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, today released the full list of members of the public who hold access cards to Parliament approved by the Speaker’s Office.

“The 15 approved visitors include the spouses of two former Members of Parliament. I am releasing the list in the interest of transparency and to avoid any involvement of the Speaker’s Office in who may or may not be considered lobbyists.”

“Dr Smith said that members of the public were only given approved visitor status if they had been security cleared and agreed to their names being public.

“The benefit of being an approved visitor is that the person does not have to be security screened each time he or she comes to Parliament. Instead, an approved visitor can access the public areas of Parliament through a security cleared entrance”, said Dr Smith.