Off the wire
• Interview: China-Costa Rica diplomatic ties growing fast, full of dynamism  • Brazil media hails growing soccer presence in China  • Gatlin, Pichardo Shining at IAAF Rome Athletics Meeting  • China's Chang Bao earns trial with Brazil's Botafogo  • Serena survives three sets to reach fourth final at Roland Garros  • 2nd LD Writethru: UN chief calls for calm, restraint in Burundi  • Chinese ambassador to EU expects two sides to strengthen regional cooperation  • Roundup: Canadian stock market plunges over retreating resources  • (Sports Focus) Cannavaro sacked in locker room, players burst to tears  • Collated Day 12 results of French Open  
You are here: 　 Home

Australian corruption watchdog says lobbyists have too much access

Xinhua, June 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

An Australian corruption investigation authority has asked the New South Wales state government to stop lobbyists from meeting in secret with government officials, local media reported Friday.

The New South Wales (NSW) Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said lobbying ministerial staff or bureaucrats can be more effective then lobbying government ministers, yet the public remains in the dark about such activity.

NSW Premier Mike Baird had promised to overhaul lobbying practices in the state in May 2014, two weeks after his predecessor resigned over corruption allegations for accepting an undeclared gift from a person who was lobbying government.

NSW government ministers are required to release a quarterly diary summarizing all external meetings, however this restriction does not extend to those who work in the parliamentary system. Endi