Mike Baird unveils his reform package to clean up New South Wales politics
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Version 0 of 1. The New South Wales premier, Mike Baird, has unveiled his first tranche of reforms to "clean up" politics in the state. Under the measures, ministers will have to publish diary summaries of scheduled meetings with lobbyists and the Electoral Commission will have its powers extended to act as an independent regulator of lobbyists. The plan has been criticised as having too many loopholes for lobbyists to exploit. But Baird says it is an "important first step" and will nail shut the "back door to government". The plan is in response to revelations at the Independent Commission Against Corruption about the access lobbyists have to NSW politicians. "I've said from the moment I became premier that I wanted to clean up politics in NSW, and this is an important step forward," Baird said. "We do want to shine the light on the business of government." Under his plan, the independent regulator will be empowered to investigate alleged breaches and will be able to impose sanctions. That may result in lobbying firms being removed from the lobbyist register. Opposition leader John Robertson says he is pleased the government is taking some steps to improve transparency but the plan does not go far enough. He says diaries should be published on a monthly basis rather than every three months, as Mr Baird proposes. The plan also has loopholes for lawyers trying to gain access to politicians and it does not cover "chance meetings" with lobbyists. Greens MP John Kaye says ministerial staff diaries also should be published. He says under the proposed measures, ministers can arrange for their staff to meet lobbyists to avoid meetings being recorded in diaries. |