New Lobbying Code of Conduct
The Board of the Integrity Commission has decided to launch the new Code of Conduct on 1 July 2025.
The new Code will be supported by:
- a user-friendly system that advances transparency and supports input of key information by lobbyists into the Register and public officials into a new ‘contact disclosure log’
- accessible and practical educative, training and advisory materials for all stakeholders
This table demonstrates the new aspects of the Code of Conduct.
Background
The Commission has been reviewing Tasmania's lobbying oversight system.
Administration of the Lobbyists Register and the Lobbying Code of Conduct transferred from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) to the Commission on 1 July 2022.
After a period of research and consultation, a new Code of Conduct will come into effect on 1 January 2025. From the same date, Public Officials will be required to make a disclosure each time they are subject to lobbying activity. The reform will increase transparency around lobbying in Tasmania. We appreciate all stakeholders' contributions to this important process.
Current status
The current Register and Code of Conduct will be maintained and administered in their current form until implementation of the new Code on 1 July 2025.
Set out below is an overview of our research and consultation process.
First round of consultation
Release of the proposed model in June 2023 followed 2 previous rounds of consultation.
The first was in May-July 2022. We published a consultation paper (PDF, 1.1 MB) identifying issues and risks associated with lobbyists and lobbying within State Government and their potential impact on public decisions.
A detailed research report (PDF, 1.9 MB) accompanied the consultation paper and examined the topic in more depth.
We received 28 submissions to this round of consultation.
We published an overview of the key points raised in the submissions.
Second round of consultation
Following receipt and consideration of submissions in 2022, we developed an initial draft lobbying framework report setting out a number of recommendations, focusing on the principles of transparency and accountability.
As part of a multi-stage process, we provided this report to a number of potentially affected parties, including Members of Parliament, the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity, and the Head of the State Service. We received 6 submissions to this initial draft.