Federal authorities are being asked to reveal the names of the politicians who give lobbyists full access to Parliament House after growing frustration over hundreds of people who can wield influence in the building without disclosure.
A crossbench alliance is pushing for new rules to reveal the people who have gained unfettered access to the building’s private corridors with sponsored bright orange passes signed by federal politicians under a system that keeps their identities secret.Credit:
Pocock will issue a call for greater transparency on Wednesday with a letter signed by fellow crossbenchers and asking the presiding officers in the Senate and the House of Representatives to disclose the passholder names and their sponsors. Some crossbenchers are so frustrated with surprise visits from lobbyists that they have begun locking their doors, said one adviser who was not authorised to speak on the record.The sponsored passes can be issued to anyone as long as the applicant agrees to a security check and is approved by a member of parliament.
Pocock has raised the issue over several weeks in meetings with House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick and Senate President Sue Lines, the presiding officers in charge of Parliament House, but he has encountered serious objections to his call for full disclosure. The sponsored passes, which are orange, can be issued to anyone as long as the applicant agrees to a security check and is approved by any senator or member of the House of Representatives, making them the only pass category for lobbyists and others who want to influence those in power. The passes are valid for three years.
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