Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This is not my first speech. My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. Today The Guardian Australia reported that not a single lobbyist has been punished for breaching the lobbying code of conduct in the past five years. It says:

An auditor-general’s report earlier this year found the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet … had not suspended or removed the registration of a single lobbyist since 2013, despite identifying at least 11 possible breaches.

Why not? When will the Prime Minister admit that by not enforcing his own code of conduct for lobbyists, he is allowing a corporate takeover of our democracy?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is no corporate takeover of our democracy. The Register of Lobbyists and the Lobbying Code of Conduct are properly enforced. The government also has a robust, multifaceted framework to combat corruption in the Australian Public Service. The Australian government is always looking at how we can strengthen our current approach further. But in the absence of any specific examples where Senator Waters alleges wrongdoing, I'm not able to assist her any further.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, a supplementary question.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday The Guardian revealed the two most senior figures in the National Party executive were also being paid as lobbyists for the big end of town to influence government policy. How are everyday Australians supposed to trust their government when it's being run by lobbyists for the big banks, fossil fuel companies and the gambling industry?

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right! I have asked for silence during questions repeatedly.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reject the premise of the question.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, a final supplementary question.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wonder how much your donors paid for you to say that. Last week the Greens wrote—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, that is inappropriate language to reflect upon an another senator in a personal, direct—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Take a breath while I'm actually trying to address this issue, everyone. Senator Waters, I ask you to withdraw that. It was directed at a senator directly and personally.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, President. I withdraw it. It's certainly not just one person.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The withdrawal needs to be unconditional, Senator Waters.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. Senator Waters, to your question.

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week the Greens wrote to the Presiding Officers demanding that lobbyists for the big banks be barred from meeting with government officials until the government has responded to the final report of the banking royal commission. Australians are sick and tired of the big banks writing their own rules. Will you support our call to ban banking lobbyists from meeting with government ministers until you have responded to the royal commission?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I guess this is the right time to point out that lobbying is actually a legitimate activity and an important part of the democratic process. Lobbyists help individuals and organisations communicate their views on matters of public interest to the government—and to the opposition and crossbench senators, for that matter—and, in doing so, improve outcomes for the individual and for the community as a whole.

The Australian government Lobbying Code of Conduct establishes a publicly available register of third party lobbyists and their clients so that government representatives can determine whose interests are being represented. The lobbying code and register are part of a range of measures to ensure our system of government operates with transparency, integrity and honesty.