The Northern Territory has officially launched a lobbyist register, marking its entry as the final Australian jurisdiction to implement such a system. The announcement came from the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government on Tuesday, fulfilling a commitment made during last year’s election campaign.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro stated that the register would encompass all “third-party lobbyists” from lobbying firms representing clients. However, the register will not cover in-house lobbyists directly employed by large corporations, nor will it apply to representatives from industry bodies and unions. Finocchiaro defended this decision, asserting that the interests of these individuals are already clear.
In a notable difference from other Australian jurisdictions—such as New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT—details of ministerial meetings will remain confidential. In these other regions, ministers are obligated to publish their diaries, disclosing meetings with both third-party and in-house lobbyists.
Additionally, the CLP has instituted a six-month prohibition on NT ministers and senior staff from engaging in lobbying activities related to their portfolio responsibilities. Current regulations already prevent ministers from taking up related employment for six months after resigning.
While some members of the NT parliament and transparency advocates have welcomed the register, they have expressed concerns about its limitations. Greens MLA Kat McNamara, who campaigned on an integrity platform during the recent NT election, highlighted significant gaps in the CLP’s model.
“We need to register all lobbyists, including those working in government relations for corporations,” McNamara stated. “Under this model, we won’t be informed about who they are meeting with and when.”
As the Northern Territory embarks on this new chapter, the effectiveness of the lobbyist register and its ability to ensure transparency will likely remain a topic of scrutiny.
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