[Greens-Media] Lobbyist change leaves influence intact

[John Kaye]

Lobbyist change leaves influence intact 
 
Media release: 4 May 2011
 
While welcoming the banning of success fees, the Greens accused the O'Farrell government of failing to clean up the state's political lobbying culture.
 
Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: "The Liberal Party's vice-president will still be able to make a living using his privileged position in government circles to put the case for the hotels industry. 
 
"Of all of ICAC's recommendations, banning success fees will have the least impact on the unfair ability of paid lobbyists to pressure governments on behalf of the cashed-up clients.
 
"Premier Barry O'Farrell has taken the path of least resistance. 
 
"Instead he should bite the bullet and force Michael Photios to make a choice between his position as Liberal party vice-president and his job as a lobbyist.
 
"Without a change in the laws, the Australian Hotels Association will still be able to buy unfair access to the government.
 
"Public health groups arguing for tighter restrictions on smoking in pubs still have to wait in line while the AHA can go straight to the top.
 
"Poker machine law reform advocates will still have much less access to government decision makers than pubs growing wealthy from problem gamblers.
 
"The Greens will be moving to amend Mr O'Farrell's legislation to exclude office holders in the governing party from the lobbyist register," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000