John Brumby’s failure to introduce a register of lobbyists in Victoria marks 1000 days since Labor promised such a register in the 2006 election and is another black mark in Labor’s sorry record of hiding from public scrutiny.
“Today marks 1000 days since Labor promised to introduce a lobbyist register in Victoria, a period in which Labor has continued to hide its grubby deals from public gaze,” Shadow Minister responsible for Scrutiny of Government David Davis said today.“Labor promised a lobbyists register in the 2006 election, and in April 2007 one of Labor’s many spin doctors claimed that Labor was working to set up the register.
“Since this promise was made 1000 days ago, many government contracts have been signed without the transparency that would have been provided by a lobbyist register.
“Big contracts such as the myki ticketing fiasco, the desalination plant, train and tram franchises and the Crown Casino expansion have all escaped the transparency and scrutiny that a lobbyist register would have made possible.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition has committed to a lobbyist register and to banning success fees for lobbyists on government projects.
“The refusal by the Brumby Government to introduce these crucial anti-corruption checks and balances means Victoria has some of the lowest standards of accountability and transparency in Australia.
“Labor must realise its culture of secret deals for mates is on the nose with Victorians and fulfil its promise from the 2006 election to introduce a lobbyists register,” Mr Davis said.
