New South Wales to expand lobbying integrity laws to local councils

The New South Wales Minns government is set to announce significant integrity law reforms aimed at tightening lobbying regulations. A key component of the changes is extending lobbying disclosure rules to the local government sector for the first time.

These reforms follow the Operation Rosny anti-corruption inquiry, which identified links between senior Liberal Party operatives and fugitive property developer Jean Nassif. Under the new framework, the NSW Electoral Commission will serve as the official regulator for lobbyists, gaining new powers to investigate suspected breaches.

Additional measures include restrictions on post-separation employment for senior bureaucrats, requirements for ministers to disclose meetings with lobbyists at political fundraisers, and increased transparency regarding contact between public servants and lobbyists.