Anti-lobbying moves for more SA integrity
New laws have been tabled for SA Parliament consideration that seek to restrict the rapid movement of Senior Public Servants into political lobbying roles.
The new set of integrity laws also allow closer scrutiny of politicians’ entitlements.
The reforms will abolish committee payments, travel allowances for Members of Parliament (MPs) and “gold pass” entitlements for former Ministers and Premiers.
Meanwhile, the Remuneration Tribunal will look at how the scrapped payments could be reflected in the base salary of MPs.
“This package of MP integrity reforms is about building trust in our political process — trust that has been damaged over the years by limited transparency and the perceived abuse of entitlements,” SA Premier Jay Weatherill said.
“We are going to need to immunise our system from potential corruption, attract the best and brightest minds to lead the State and be more transparent with the information we provide to the South Australian community.”
Deputy Premier, John Rau said the new laws would for the first time govern the activity of political lobbyists.
A new public register of lobbyists and lobbyists will be set up, and made subject to the operation of Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) legislation.
“Under the changes, Parliamentary Secretaries, Senior Public Servants and Ministerial staff will be prevented from acting as a lobbyist for one year and Ministers for two years after leaving office,” Mr Rau said.
He said lobbyists would be prohibited from holding both Government Board and lobbyist positions, and success fees would be prohibited as well.