Lobbyist spins - sorry, explains - his swipe card into Parliament

Cynics might think corporate lobbyists have easy access to MPs.

In fact, it's automated.

An item on 3News last night showed veteran lobbyist Mark Unsworth, of Saunders Unsworth using a swipe card to enter parliament.

Mr Unsworth's clients include Sky City, the 50% Telecom-owned Southern Cross Cable, and multinational pharmaceutical companies.

3News reporter Patrick Gower subsequently told NBR that "about eight" other lobbyists have been issued with their own swipe cards.

In fact, there are 16.

Speaker Lockwood Smith refuses to confirm their identity.

Mr Unsworth, who was unlucky enough to be the one of the eight who got his mug plastered over TV, gamely fronted up to NBR.

"I got the card about 15 years ago, and through the good will of both Labour and National Speakers I have kept it," the lobbyiist said.

"It's like getting an Internet connection. It enables you but doesn't guarantee you get access to the facts or the source of knowledge."

(As a footnote, Mr Unsworth added that he did not have his swipe card on him when interviewied by Mr Gower; TV3 later filmed someone else's hand, and card, swiping in.)

Greens draft lobbyist bill
Last night, the Green Party said it had drafted a bill seeking to let the public know who is lobbying MPs.

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.