Parliamentary access disclosures reveal lobbyist connections to politicians

Among the disclosed passes are two for Responsible Wagering Australia, a group representing major betting companies like bet365, Sportsbet, and Betfair. Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston is the primary sponsor for the group’s chief executive, Kai Cantwell, who previously served as her chief of staff when she held the portfolio of Minister for Families and Services. Labor Senator Raff Ciccone also sponsors Mr. Cantwell’s pass, with Senator Ruston listed as a secondary sponsor. Senator Ruston declined to comment on the arrangement.

Several other cabinet ministers are also sponsors, granting access to lobbyists with specific interests. Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Industry Minister Tim Ayres sponsor Benjamin Oquist, formerly of The Australia Institute, who now works for lobbying firm DPG Advisory Solutions. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher sponsors the National Foundation for Australian Women, a feminist advocacy group. Greens leader David Shoebridge has provided a pass to the Australian Peace and Security Forum, advocating for the dismantling of the AUKUS agreement.

The disclosures also highlight connections between politicians and gas industry lobbyists, despite the government’s efforts to prioritize domestic gas supply. Multiple Labor and Coalition MPs sponsor passes for Australian Energy Producers and Hawker Britton Group, which represents companies like Woodside and ConocoPhillips. Several MPs, including Nationals MP Colin Boyce and Labor MP Mike Freelander, sponsor a lobbyist directly engaged by American oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips.

The initial report covers just over 100 passes, with a backlog of 1,086 cards still requiring assessment under the new rules. Christian Slattery of the Australian Democracy Network argues the current system excludes many “in-house” lobbyists and lacks meaningful transparency. He advocates for a National Lobbying Act to regulate all lobbying activities and mandate ministerial diary disclosure. Independent Senator David Pocock echoed this sentiment, calling for stronger lobbying laws and an end to the “revolving door” between government and industry.