Page 1956 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 5 August 2014
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Territory citizens rightly expect transparency and open decision-making from their elected representatives. They expect decisions to be made objectively and on merit without any reference to private gain or personal interest. Shortly after becoming Chief Minister, I started a program of open government featuring a comprehensive integrity framework. This integrity framework has been key for ensuring high standards of probity in public life. It comprises a suite of mutually reinforcing initiatives designed to address the standards, values, behaviour and integrity of our work and our people.
We have modernised the codes of conduct applying to ministers and public servants, introduced improved public interest disclosure legislation and provided additional funding for the Auditor-General and the Ombudsman. We also in this place have seen the establishment of a Legislative Assembly Commissioner for Standards to complement the work of the Assembly’s ethics and integrity adviser.
Additionally, in the program coming up, I will introduce a public service bill which will also embed the ACT public service code of conduct, values and signature behaviours and establish an independent office of the public sector standards commissioner, which I notice is a recommendation of the recently tabled estimates report.
Our integrity framework represents an investment in open and accountable governance of the territory. Today this continuing resolution is proposing that our integrity framework be further enhanced and expanded with the introduction of a register of lobbyists. Political lobbyists’ influence on the democratic process is a source of frequent comment and concern around the world and across Australia. Lobbying is clearly a legitimate activity and one which plays an important part in our democracy. It is only right that individuals and groups should seek to express their views to elected officials.
However, there is a strong perception that lobbyists can occasionally have undue influence and, in the absence of appropriate regulation, may distort government decision-making. If confidence in our system of government is to be safeguarded, public officials and decisions must be seen to be objective, in line with established procedures and guided by the merits of each case.
In this respect, I strongly believe that lobbying should be as transparent and open to scrutiny as any other part of the decision-making process. At the moment we do not currently maintain a public register of lobbyists, nor do we have a code of conduct to guide members and public officials on how best to engage with lobbyists. I think this does present a risk to good governance.
Members will recall that earlier this year a motion was moved that referred this matter to the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure to draft a lobbyist register for the ACT Assembly, including an associated code of conduct supporting principles and guidelines. The motion passed that day recognised the valid role of lobbyists to advocate on behalf of their clients and the value that a register could provide in ensuring transparency and accountability.
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