Ethical lobbying
Ku-ring-gai Council recognises appropriate lobbying of Council Officials is a normal aspect of democracy. However, there is an obligation for Council Officials to make decisions in an open and transparent manner without undue influence, or the perception of undue influence by external parties.
Unethical lobbying has the potential to negatively influence Council decision-making and could lead to conflicts of interest and unethical behaviour.
It is always the aim of Ku-ring-gai Council to ensure that all decisions are legal, ethical; and impartial, and thus Council Officials must make decisions in an open and transparent manner without undue influence, or the perception of undue influence by external parties.
Therefore, the Ethical Lobbying policy is intended to assist Council Officials to understand their role and obligations in interactions with Lobbyists. It is intended the policy will do this via implementing specific controls over which the activities of lobbyists engaged to act on behalf of third-party clients; outlining standards and behaviour expected by Council Officials and Lobbyists in engaging in lobbying activities with Council and; outlining a procedure to manage interactions between Council Officials and lobbyists.
The procedure for interaction follows 4 steps:
- Meeting request - the lobbyist makes a formal request in writing to the Councillor or Council Official. The lobbyist must first ensure they have registered using Council's Lobbyist Registration Form(PDF, 50KB).
- Council Official ensures lobbyist registration
- Council Official is made aware of the appropriate details about the lobbyist, third party and their intentions.
- The interactions between the Council Official and lobbyist are recorded in accordance with the record-keeping obligations outlined in the policy.
See page 8 of the policy for further detail.
View the Ethical Lobbying Policy(PDF, 284KB).
Register of lobbyists
View the Register of Lobbyists(PDF, 9KB).