George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

They are not. If Mr Robb is under that impression, then he is mistaken. I think perhaps the basis of the misapprehension is a failure to appreciate that this obligation applies to every single former cabinet minister for a three-year period after they cease to be a cabinet minister, and every former member of parliament for a period of three years after they cease to be a member of parliament, in the event that they undertake to act on behalf of a foreign principal. As I said to you in response to your primary question, Senator Carr, this government believes that there is a public interest in transparency. And the reason we are introducing this transparency scheme, as part of our package of legislation to protect Australia's democracy, is so that the conduct of lobbyists, which is perfectly legal, legitimate and lawful conduct, should, nevertheless, expose transparently who their principals are.