Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Pocock. I don't think that anyone is suggesting that a three-month holiday, as you put it, is necessarily the only or a sufficient punishment. As I understand it and as I have already mentioned, the secretary may bar a lobbyist for a period of time. But I should also say that the government is considering further changes to the code, and we would welcome suggestions for reform on this matter. The code was updated last in February 2022 by the former government, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is currently reviewing the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme, which also regulates lobbying activities. The government looks forward to receiving the committee's report and will consider any recommendations it may make, including in relation to lobbying activities. If you haven't done so already, Senator Pocock, I would encourage you to participate in that inquiry.