Their job is to influence politicians. An MP warns they can be powerful enemies
Inside Parliament House, hundreds of lobbyists freely roam the corridors advocating for corporate interests. Critics say it's a problem.
A senior Senate staffer in Canberra has revealed that a lobbyist for Australia's sports betting industry has been using Parliament House facilities for personal meetings, breaching protocol. Independent Senator David Pocock noticed this behavior, which is becoming increasingly common as outgoing government officials transition into lobbying roles.
The lobbyist, Mr Cantwell, runs Responsible Wagering Australia, a peak body for sports betting companies, despite his history of serving in the Morrison government's Social Services department. Unlike traditional lobbyists, Mr Cantwell operates as an "in-house" representative, exempt from lobbying regulations. His office, an independent industry association, is not subject to the same scrutiny as third-party lobbyists.
Influential gambling lobby groups have been known to provide funding for parliamentary events, gaining access to MPs and senators. This situation highlights the significant influence lobbying groups have on political decision-making, even at the highest levels of government.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
