Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Australian MPs disclose passes sponsored for lobbyists
Australia has published its first disclosures showing which federal politicians sponsor lobbyists' access to Parliament House.
Labor and Liberal MPs sponsored passes for lobbyists, including representatives of the gambling group Responsible Wagering Australia.
Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston sponsored a pass for its chief executive, Kai Cantwell, who previously worked as her chief of staff; Labor senator Raff Ciccone sponsored another.
The disclosures also name sponsors for climate, energy, finance and other groups, but a pass does not necessarily mean a politician supports a lobbyist's views.
The release includes just over 100 passes, while 1,086 older cards still need review and processing under the updated rules.
The disclosures followed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's decision to tighten access and reporting rules earlier this year, and the remaining cards still have to be assessed.
The first disclosures of sponsored access passes show which federal politicians are providing lobbyists with access to Parliament House.
Labor and Liberal MPs are sponsoring passes for lobbyists linked to gambling, gas and other sectors.
Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston is the primary sponsor for a pass for Responsible Wagering Australia chief executive Kai Cantwell.
The disclosures follow Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to tighten access and disclosure rules earlier this year.
The first report lists just over 100 passes, while 1,086 cards issued under the previous system still require assessment and processing.
- Who
- Federal politicians, including Labor and Liberal MPs, are sponsoring passes for lobbyists.
- What
- The first disclosures identify politicians providing lobbyists with access to Parliament House.
- When
- The first disclosures were published on November 3, 2026. Albanese announced rule changes in June.
- Where
- Parliament House, Canberra.
- Why
- Albanese tightened access and disclosure rules, allowing the public to see which politicians sponsor lobbyists’ access.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced changes to lobbyist access rules.
The first disclosures of politicians sponsoring passes for lobbyists were published.
- Responsible Wagering Australia passes
- 2
- Kai Cantwell’s primary sponsor
- Anne Ruston
- Other Responsible Wagering Australia pass sponsor
- Raff Ciccone
- Passes detailed in first report
- Just over 100
- Backlog of cards under previous system
- 1,086