Lobbyist records
The Integrity Act 2009 governs contact between lobbyists and State or local government representatives, and contact between lobbyists and key representatives for the Opposition.
The Queensland Integrity Commissioner maintains the Queensland Lobbying Register which is required under s.68 of the Act.
You can also familiarise yourself with the Crime and Corruption Commission's Lobbying Corruption Prevention Advisory.
Contact with a lobbyist
Any contact with a lobbyist, as defined under s.42 of the Act, is to be recorded. A register of contact is a recommended way of capturing and recording interactions with lobbyists.
Contact may include, but are not limited to:
- Telephone calls
- Emails
- Written mail
- Face-to-face meetings
- Social media and other online channels.
It's important that you capture the decisions and actions from these interactions with lobbyists to show there was no undue influence in providing an accountable and transparent government.
The following information should be captured when recording contact with lobbyists:
- Date of the meeting
- Title(s) and name(s) of State or local government representative, or Opposition representative
- Name of the lobbyist entity
- Name of the client
- Purpose of the meeting.
Disposal of records
Records relating to contact with lobbyists as defined under s.42 of the Act, must be retained for a minimum of 10 years.
This information is kept in the Queensland Lobbying Register's Contact Log and is publicly searchable for 10 years after contact with the lobbyist ceases.
You can use the General Retention and Disposal Schedule to manage the disposal of these records.