This week, Four Corners turns its attention to Australia’s political lobbying industry, as reporter Mark Willacy investigates the people working behind the scenes to influence those in power.
The investigation examines the access lobbyists have to politicians, the lack of transparency around their activities and the revolving door between politics and private enterprise, while critics question whether the system provides enough oversight.
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They’re unelected, highly paid and represent powerful interests. And there’s an army of them. They’re lobbyists.
Lobbyists have been a feature of the political landscape for decades, but their numbers have never been greater and, according to some critics, neither has their access and influence.
Next week on Four Corners reporter Mark Willacy investigates the opaque business of political lobbyists – where they go, who they meet and what they want.
Four Corners reporter Mark Willacy investigates the opaque business of political lobbyists and their access to power in Canberra (image – ABC)
In Access All Areas, four of the country’s top lobbyists – Simon Banks (Hawker Britton), Christopher Pyne (Pyne & Partners), Eamonn Fitzpatrick (Fitzpatrick & Co Advisory) and Matthew Harris (Barton Deakin) – reveal how they operate and why they believe lobbying makes the process of governing more effective.
But advocates for stronger oversight and regulation, including some politicians, say the system that is meant to guard against undue influence is broken and vested interests are winning.
Set against the backdrop of the Albanese government’s recent efforts to pass its gambling reforms package, the program interrogates the lack of transparency around lobbying activities, which types of lobbyists are more regulated and scrutinised than others, and the ‘revolving door’ between politics and private enterprise.
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And as Four Corners discovered, blatant pay for access schemes are also alive and well in our political system, with lobbyists using them to get “face time” with ministers. So how much do they pay? Who do they get to lobby? And who are the winners?
As the lobbying industry increases in size and sway and faith in politicians wanes, critics say it’s time for an effective and functional lobbying regime.
Four Corners: Access All Areas is reported by Mark Willacy and airs tonight, Monday 24 August at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
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