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

As I said, Senator Pocock, the Attorney-General's Department is currently investigating a number of matters and potential breaches of the code, and, as I said, already has considered 12 such investigations since the change of government in May last year. But beyond that, under the code the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department may bar a lobbyist who has committed a serious breach of the code from being registered for a period of up to three months. What that means is that being deregistered effectively prohibits a lobbyist from lobbying ministers, their staff and officials as the code prohibits government representatives from being party to lobbying activities by unregistered lobbyists. A serious breach includes unregistered lobbying and breaching the principles of engagement with government representatives. The secretary may also remove a registered lobbyist from the register if they fail to comply with their obligations under the code. I am personally encouraged that the Attorney-General's Department is actively investigating these potential breaches and those that are underway. (Time expired)