NSW to tighten lobbying rules and force council disclosures after anti-corruption probe

On Monday the Minns administration will unveil a package of integrity reforms that will force third-party lobbyists to disclose any connections with local councils, bringing municipal authorities under the state’s lobbying regime for the first time. The NSW Electoral Commission will be formally appointed as the lobbyist regulator and will receive powers to investigate suspected breaches, while senior public servants will be barred from taking related jobs for six months after leaving office.

Ministers will also be required to disclose meetings with lobbyists at political fundraisers. The changes follow the Operation Rosny anti-corruption inquiry, which revealed that Liberal Party operatives, including registered lobbyists Jeremy Greenwood and Christian Ellis, were paid millions by fugitive developer Jean Nassif for political favors. Earlier proposals by former premier Dominic Perrottet called for a new lobbying regulator and stricter bans, but one outlet plan is a watered-down version. Officials say the reforms will strengthen safeguards against undue influence and improve transparency across all levels of government.