I think people underestimate all the potential channels for lobbying. Try to regulate the obvious channels and lobbyists will slither just out of sight and influence the people you aren't watching.

Trading bribes and future jobs for introductions and influence is easy in a major political party with their powerbrokers and informal mates networks.

To fix these loopholes, Australia needs a federal lobbying act with universal rules applied to all lobbyists. The act should include:

• an expanded definition of lobbyist to capture in-house “government relations” staff working for companies and industry organisations

• a five-year ban on former ministers and advisers becoming lobbyists to protect public interest decision-making from undue influence

• a requirement for the meeting diaries for ministers, MPs, senior advisers and lobbyists to be published so the public can see who is meeting with decision-makers

• and the creation of an independent regulatory body with the power to enforce the rules and penalise non-compliance.

Earlier this year, the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate moved to tighten parliamentary access rules for lobbyists. Among other changes, lobbyists with privileged access passes (passes that allow them to wander Parliament House without an escort) will now be listed on a public register.

It’s a welcome first step, but the rest of Australia’s lobbying rules urgently need to catch up.___