Queensland will have an independent political lobbying watchdog and people caught lobbying without being registered will face fines of almost $29,000 under proposed laws.
The reforms come after a number of incidents, inquiries and reports involving government accountability, transparency and culture in recent years.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has tabled a bill to set up a new Office of Integrity Commissioner, independent of government, to oversee lobbying in the state.
“Queenslanders quite rightly expect their government to provide public services that demand transparent and accountable decision-making,” she told parliament on Friday.
“My government is committed to strengthening our integrity and oversight framework so it is contemporary and maintains and improves a culture of accountability.”…