Recently, Professional Advisory Service (PAS) panel firms have been reminded about the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) requirements for lobbyists. 

Important obligations that exist under the Victorian Government Professional Lobbyist Code of Conduct (the Code) include where professional advisory service suppliers may conduct lobbying activity on behalf of third-party clients. 

In Victoria, lobbying activity is defined as any contact with a Government Representative in an effort to influence Government decision making, and is defined by the Code which is issued by the Premier of Victoria.

Professional advisory service suppliers are obligated to register on the Victorian Register of Lobbyists under the Code where:

• Lobbying activity is being undertaken on behalf of a third-party client; and
• Lobbying forms a significant or regular part of the services offered by any person employed or engaged by the professional advisory service supplier.

If these circumstances apply to your business, you can register via the Victorian Register of Lobbyists. 

As well as the aforementioned registration requirements, PAS panel firms need to be aware when employing or engaging a former executive public servant or ministerial officer, that under the Code they are prohibited from undertaking lobbying activities in relation to any matter in which they had official dealings in their last 12 months of employment. 

For any questions or queries in relation to the requirements of registration, please contact the Victorian Public Sector Commission via telephone on 03 7004 7243 or email on lobbyistsregister@vpsc.vic.gov.au.

* * *

Image used under license from Shutterstock

* * *

Written by CourtHeath

[category courtheath's blog]

[PAS, VPSC, Victoria]