Well call me surprised. National has reversed Labour’s tightening of rules around lobbyists and have given four lobbyists Parliamentary swipe cards. And refused to say who they are.
In April of last year then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced the rules relating to swipe cards would be toughened up. From One News:
Hipkins said he would write to the Speaker Adrian Rurawhe to request the removal of swipe card access to Parliament for business, non-government sector and union representatives.
Currently, Parliament and Beehive workers – including, staffers, security, the parliamentary service, the parliamentary press gallery, former MPs and their spouses – have key card access to the precinct.
Lobbyists, business and political representatives are also included on an approved visitor list – such as those from Russell McVeagh lawyers, the NZ Bankers Association, Zespri, Air New Zealand, the Insurance Council of New Zealand and the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union.
Hipkins also said the Government would offer support to “third-party lobbyists” to establish a voluntary code of conduct and the beginning of “long-term work on policy options to regulate lobbying”.
He said a “refreshed” Cabinet Manual would be published in April that set “clear expectations for ministers in relation to conduct and decisions when considering future employment”.
The announcements follow reporting on lobbyists and their influence by RNZ.
“It’s very important we have a sensible and transparent system that does not give the impression that lobbyists enjoy an unfair advantage over other New Zealanders.
Such was Labour’s commitment to open democracy there is even a Parliamentary web page with the names of people with swipe cards. The list has not been updated since before the last election.
At the time National said that the steps were inadequate. According to Nicola Willis:
I think New Zealanders should feel that they have as much access to politicians as those lobbyists do, and National will be supporting the Speaker to remove that special access right, we think that makes sense.”
But this Government is busily winding back the reforms and decreasing transparency. From Guyon Espiner at Radio New Zealand:
The identities of people allowed to freely come and go from Parliament have been made secret by the new Speaker.
Gerry Brownlee told RNZ he did not agree with the blanket ban on lobbyists having swipe card access and some discretion was needed.
He had approved swipe card access for about four new people, who he said could be described as having lobbying roles. But they were not employed by professional lobbying firms and largely had jobs assisting parties in Parliament.
He would not be “facilitating commercial activities” for lobbying firms. But in a departure from previous Speakers, Brownlee said he wouldn’t publish the ‘approved visitor list’ of people with swipe card access to Parliament, in order to protect their privacy.
Citing privacy concerns the new speaker Gerry Brownlee has declined to name who they are. Which means that we can engage in completely unsourced speculation.
Top of the list for a new card must be Taxpayer Union and Atlas adherant Jordan Williams. He seems to be everywhere right now. I guess with a 2022 income of $2.85 million and reserves of $1 million his activity is not surprising.
And how about former NZ First staffer and current tobacco lobbyist Api Dawson? Casey Costello’s policy changes do not write themselves.
Also possibly in the mix are consultants assisting Act in its dog whistle Treaty Principles Bill. We are going to have at least six months of racist dog whistling dressed up in the language of rights and reasonability.
And don’t forget Atlas Network representatives although the first rule of the Atlas Network is don’t talk about the Atlas Network.
And what has happened to the proactive release of Ministerial diaries? If you go to the Beehive website and check there are no details posted although to be fair there was always a three month lag so perhaps they will start next month. Although maybe not.
The announcement is deeply cynical, retrograde and shows a distinct lack of commitment to the principle of open democracy. I trust that Bryce Edwards will be all over this.
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