A healthy democracy shouldn’t look like the latest HBO political drama, but backroom deals and expensive luncheons with corporate lobbyists are business as usual for Victoria’s major parties.
Earlier this year, the influence of lobbyists once again trumped the social good, as Victorian Labor – cowed by strident property industry opposition – backed down on a plan to make developers pay for more affordable housing.
It’s time to hold the government to account, and restore integrity to our parliament.
And the Greens have a plan to do it.
We’re starting this week by introducing a new bill to parliament that will curb the influence of lobbyists over politicians.
Our bill will:
🔍 Strengthen the powers of IBAC – the independent watchdog – to investigate MPs, ministers, staffers and lobbyists.
⚖️ Legislate strong codes of conduct for ministers and lobbyists, to require clear information on potential conflicts of interest.
🗓 Require the diaries of ministers and parliamentary secretaries to be made public, so we can all see who’s meeting with senior MPs, as in other states.
💰 Stop the revolving door between ministers and lobbying, to prevent politicians bouncing straight from parliament into lucrative lobbyist jobs.
🚨 Establish a Parliamentary Integrity Commissioner right now, to oversee MP standards, the lobbyist register, and investigate potential code of conduct breaches.
With more Greens in parliament we’ll hold the government to account and restore trust in our democracy.
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