New South Wales is preparing a package of lobbying reforms that would expand regulation to local government, strengthen oversight by the NSW Electoral Commission and introduce tighter rules around post-government employment and ministerial disclosures.
The reforms announced on 12 October 2026 are intended to implement several recommendations from NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations, including Operation Eclipse and Operation Dasha.
The changes will require legislative and policy amendments before all elements take effect.
Electoral Commission to Receive Stronger Lobbying Powers
The NSW Electoral Commission already administers the state’s Lobbyists Register and broader lobbying regulation framework.
Under the proposed reforms, it would be formally established in legislation as the Lobbying Regulator and receive additional powers to audit compliance with the Lobbying of Government Officials Act 2011 and the NSW Lobbyists Code of Conduct.
The regulator would also be able to require government agencies and public officials to provide records relevant to compliance audits.
This reflects recommendations from ICAC’s Operation Eclipse, which called for the lobbying regulator to have stronger powers to obtain documents, assess agency compliance and investigate possible breaches.
Lobbying Rules Would Extend to Local Councils
One of the most significant changes would extend the state lobbying framework to interactions with local government officials.
Third-party lobbyists dealing with councils would be required to register, while lobbyists operating at local government level would be subject to the ethical standards contained in the lobbying code.
The change follows an ICAC recommendation arising from Operation Dasha that the Lobbying of Government Officials Act should apply to local government.
The NSW Government had previously accepted that recommendation in principle while noting that further consultation was needed because the structure and operations of councils differ from state government agencies.
Six-Month Restrictions Proposed for Some Former Public Servants
The reform package would also allow certain higher-risk public service positions to be subject to post-employment restrictions lasting up to six months.
During that period, affected former officials could be prevented from taking private-sector roles connected to responsibilities they held while in government.
ICAC’s Operation Eclipse recommended a similar framework for designated high-risk positions, aimed at reducing the risk that confidential information, contacts or regulatory knowledge could be used immediately after leaving public service.
The restriction would not automatically apply to every NSW public servant.
Ministerial Diaries to Become Searchable
The NSW Government also plans to change the way ministerial diary information is published.
Under the proposal, diary disclosures would be consolidated and searchable, making meetings easier to review across ministers and portfolios.
The reforms would also clarify that fundraising events involving paid exclusive or private access to a minister must be disclosed.
That proposal closely follows ICAC’s 2021 recommendation that paid-access fundraising events be treated as scheduled meetings for disclosure purposes, regardless of whether lobbying actually occurs.
ICAC had also recommended that ministerial diary information be published in a single searchable format rather than fragmented across separate disclosures.
Former Ministerial Staff Face Clearer Confidentiality Rules
The package also includes changes to the Ministers’ Office Handbook intended to clarify the obligations of former ministerial staff.
The updated guidance will reinforce restrictions on using confidential information obtained during government employment and clarify other ethical obligations after leaving a ministerial office.
This sits alongside the broader focus of the reforms on managing conflicts and influence after officials or staff leave government.
Reforms Follow Long-Running ICAC Review
Operation Eclipse was a systemic review of lobbying regulation rather than an investigation into alleged corruption by a particular person.
Its 2021 report concluded that the existing lobbying framework contained significant regulatory gaps and made 29 recommendations covering lobbyist registration, government recordkeeping, ministerial disclosures, post-employment restrictions and regulator powers.
The current Lobbying of Government Officials Act 2011 remains in force while the new reforms progress.
The NSW Government says it developed the latest package following consultation with ICAC and the NSW Electoral Commission.
Further details, including the precise commencement dates and legislative wording, will depend on the introduction and passage of the relevant amendments.
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