Politics · Australia · 19 hrs ago
NSW plans new lobbying rules covering local councils
The Minns government in New South Wales plans to announce changes to the state’s lobbying rules.
For the first time, third-party lobbyists working with local councils would have to follow those rules.
The NSW Electoral Commission would become the regulator and gain powers to investigate suspected breaches.
The changes follow the Operation Rosny anti-corruption inquiry, which heard that Liberal Party operatives were paid by property developer Jean Nassif in return for political favours.
The inquiry found no evidence for a claim that councillors were installed on The Hills Shire Council to support Nassif, but examined alleged efforts to influence the former state Coalition government.
The planned reforms also include restrictions on some senior public servants taking lobbying jobs and more disclosure of contacts between lobbyists and public officials.
They are a narrower response than earlier recommendations from the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and the government is due to announce them on Monday.
The NSW government plans to extend lobbying rules to local councils for the first time.
The reforms would give the NSW Electoral Commission powers to investigate suspected breaches.
The plans follow an anti-corruption inquiry that examined links between Liberal Party operatives and property developer Jean Nassif.
The package also includes restrictions on some senior bureaucrats’ post-government employment and more disclosure of contacts and meetings.
The reforms are narrower than recommendations made by the Independent Commission Against Corruption five years earlier.
- Who
- The NSW government, led by the Minns government, plans the reforms. The NSW Electoral Commission would regulate lobbyists.
- What
- The government plans to extend lobbying rules to local councils and strengthen regulation and disclosure requirements.
- When
- The government said it would announce the reforms on Monday, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- New South Wales, including local government.
- Why
- The government says the changes would improve transparency and safeguards against undue influence. They follow an anti-corruption inquiry into alleged political influence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
needs to change
Over the decades, including very recently, we have seen corrupt behaviour targeting local government. That is why it’s important we strengthen the protections around lobbying
protect the public interest and make sure that lobbying, at all levels of government, is transparent and strongly regulated
People expect governments to operate with transparency, and they expect strong safeguards against undue influence.
Liberal MP Ray Williams aired claims in parliament that party figures and lobbyists had been paid by Nassif to install sympathetic councillors on The Hills Shire Council.
ICAC recommended a major overhaul of lobbying laws in NSW.
The Minns government planned to announce its lobbying law reforms.
- Local government
- To be covered by lobbying rules for the first time
- Regulator
- NSW Electoral Commission
- Inquiry
- Operation Rosny
- Developer
- Jean Nassif
- ICAC recommendations
- 29 recommendations after Operation Eclipse
- Post-separation restriction
- Six months for some senior public servants
Sources
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