Watchdog IBAC calls for greater transparency around political donations and lobbying

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich said donations and lobbying could be used to gain privileged access to decision makers and pose corruption risks where there is a perception of a favor to be rendered.

“Lobbying regulations must be transparent and hold lobbyists and decision-makers to account in order to protect the public interest. They currently do not,” Redlich said in a statement.

“Lobbying regulations must be transparent and hold lobbyists and decision-makers to account in order to protect the public interest. They currently don’t. »

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich

“If nothing is done, the risks of corruption around lobbying are not only real but imminent.”

The IBAC is also pushing for a $4,000 cap on donations for local government candidates, as well as spending caps, in an effort to align council donation laws with legislation for political candidates. of State.

The state government also gave its principled support to the IBAC’s recommendations on lobbying reform and said it would work to implement them if re-elected.

The IBAC report comes amid delays in releasing the agency’s Operation Sandon investigation into alleged corrupt land deals in the town of Casey, which was first raised publicly by age in 2018.

The report makes no mention of Operation Sandon and instead states that the IBAC’s recommendations follow consultations with other states, policy analysis, and lessons learned from complaints and investigations that she is currently leading.