What is lobbying?

Ethical lobbying is a legitimate activity and an important part of the democratic process. Lobbyists can help individuals and organisations communicate their views on matters of public interest to the government and opposition and, in doing so, improve outcomes for the community as a whole.

Generally, lobbying is a very broad term. For the purposes of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld), the term ‘lobbying’ means any attempt to influence the decision-making of a government or opposition representative in the exercise of their official functions on behalf of a third party, for a fee or other reward. Under the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld) lobbyists who act on behalf of a third-party clients must register with the Integrity Commissioner before they contact a state or local government representative for the purpose of lobbying activities.

A ‘lobbyist’ is an entity that carries out a lobbying activity for a fee or other reward for a third-party client, or whose employees or contractors carry out a lobbying activity for a third-party client.

Under section 41(2) of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld), a ‘third party client’ is an entity that engages another entity to provide services such as lobbying for a fee or other reward.
Section 42(1) of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld) defines lobbying activities as; Contact with a government representative in an effort to influence state or local government decision-making, including—

1. the making or amendment of legislation; and
2. the development or amendment of a government policy or program; and
3. the awarding of a government contract or grant; and
4. the allocation of funding; and
5. the making of a decision about planning or giving of a development approval under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009; or…”

Section 42(1)(b) extends the scope of the definition to contact with an opposition representative in an effort to influence opposition decision-making, including—

1. the making or amendment of legislation; and
2. the development or amendment of an opposition policy or program; and
3. the opposition's position or view in relation to state or local government decision-making, including, for example, the matters mentioned in section 42(1)(a) of the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld).