Lobbying: Who Has the Ear of Power? | Smart Carrot Homegrown

When laws are being made, certain people and organisations work hard to influence the outcome. This is lobbying — and while it can be legitimate (everyone has the right to advocate), it raises serious questions about who actually shapes the laws you live under.

What Is Lobbying?

Lobbying is the act of trying to influence government decisions — through meetings, submissions, campaigns, or providing information. In principle, it's an essential part of democracy: citizens and groups have the right to tell their representatives what they think.

In practice, some voices are much louder than others.

Professional Lobbying in Australia

Australia has a $3+ billion lobbying industry. Professional lobbyists are hired by corporations, industry groups, unions, and advocacy organisations to influence policy. They include:

Former politicians who use their contacts and insider knowledge
Public affairs firms that specialise in government relations
Industry associations (Minerals Council, Property Council, Business Council)
Think tanks that produce policy research aligned with their funders' interests

The Revolving Door

The "revolving door" refers to the movement of people between government and lobbying. A minister who regulated the mining industry may leave politics and become a lobbyist for mining companies — using their insider knowledge and contacts.

In Australia, there's a "cooling off period" of 12-18 months before former ministers can lobby on issues they were responsible for. Critics argue this is too short and poorly enforced.

Who Gets Heard?

A 2018 study by the Grattan Institute found that in Australian policy-making:

Business and industry groups had far more access to ministers and senior officials than community groups
The largest companies had regular meetings with relevant ministers
Community organisations often relied on submissions to inquiries — a less direct form of influence

This creates an imbalance: the people most affected by a law (often ordinary citizens) have the least influence over it, while those with financial resources shape it.

Tonight's Question

"Is lobbying fair? Should companies be allowed to hire professionals to influence politicians? Should there be limits?"

Lobbying Simulation

Choose a policy debate (e.g., "Should there be a tax on sugary drinks?").
Assign roles: Sugar industry lobbyist, Health organisation advocate, Parent, Government minister.
Each person prepares arguments from their perspective.
The minister hears all arguments and makes a decision.
Discuss: whose arguments were most persuasive? Was the process fair?

Go Further

Website: Australian Government Lobbying Register (lobbyists.ag.gov.au) — see who is registered to lobby.
Research: The Grattan Institute's reports on political influence and money in politics.
Question: Should lobbying be more heavily regulated? What would effective regulation look like?
Comparison: How does Australia's lobbying regulation compare to the US, UK, and EU?

What We Simplified

Lobbying serves a function. Government can't know everything. Lobbyists often provide genuine expertise that improves policy. The problem is imbalance of access, not lobbying itself.
Not-for-profit lobbying exists too. Environmental groups, health charities, and community organisations also lobby — just with fewer resources.
Transparency is improving. The lobbying register, political donation disclosures, and investigative journalism are making the process more visible.

Sources

Grattan Institute (2018). "Who's in the room? Access and influence in Australian politics." Grattan
Australian Government. "Lobbying Register." Lobbying Register
Wood, D. & Griffiths, K. (2018). "Who's in the Room?" Grattan Institute Report.