Lobbying in Australia You can�¢â�¬â�¢t expect anything to change if you don�¢â�¬â�¢t speak up!

by Fitzgerald, Julian

• ISBN13: 9781877058363
• ISBN10: 187705836X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-04-01
• Publisher: Rosenberg Publishing

Summary

Lobbying in Australia is a billion dollar a year industry employing several thousand people. This book is the only up to date guide to how it conducts its business. It is a wakeup call to the Parliament and the people, warning that, unless they are aware of what lobbyists are doing, Australia runs the risk of its system of government being compromised by spin and the advocates of vested interests.With 1000 lobbyists in Canberra, or more than four for every member of Parliament, it is time to examine the industry.Part One reveals the lobbying establishment, the ready access of lobbyists to government and the impact their operations have on the local economy, on governemtn financing of national secretariats for compliant community-based lobbyists, and on Senate committees that provide a forum for interest groups.Part Two provides practical advice on how to go about lobbying. The major players are identified, advice given on how to gain access to Parliament and who to contact in the administration, and where to obtain essential information. Good and bad lobbying practices are identified.Part three includes a directory of 150 key lobby groups and a table of statistics on them.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Introduction	12
Part One: Current Lobbying Practices	16
1 Attracting the Attention of Government	16
Definition of a Lobby Group	19
Types of Groups That Lobby	21
Examples of Lobby Groups	21
2 Canberra and its Lobbyists	29
Impact of Lobby Groups on Canberra's Economy	32
Land Grant Incentives to Lobbying	34
Lobbyists and the Parliamentary Triangle	37
Who Is Lobbying?	38
Career Lobbyists	40
Career Politicians: Lobbyists in and out of Parliament	41
Staffers who Become Lobbyists	43
3 Canberra and its Politicians	44
How Politicians Lobby the Voters	46
Funding of Political Parties	47
The Electoral Database: A Lobbying Tool	47
Public Relations/Information Officers Versus Lobbyists	50
Political Party Membership and Lobby Groups	51
Relations With Political Parties	54
4 Defence Lobbying and the Media	57
Lobbying on Defence Issues in Canberra	60
5 The Role of the Senate	64
Lobbying the Senate	66
Crossing the Floor in Federal Parliament	71
6 The Sources of Funds for Lobby Groups	73
National Secretariats	75
Fight Over Government Funds	77
Not–for-Profit Sector Providers and Lobbyists	80
Aboriginal Lobby Groups	81
A Lobby Group of One — the Lone Fathers Association	83
Eros — the Outcast Lobby Group	84
7 Lessons From Lobbying Overseas	87
United States of America	88
United Kingdom	93
European Union	96
Canada	99
8 A Proposal for Regulation of Lobbyists	108
The Way Forward	110
Part Two: Effective and Ineffective Lobbying	113
9 In the Business of Lobbying	113
Large Lobbing Firms in Canberra	117
10 How Lobbyists Meet Politicians	121
Who to Contact in Government	124
11 Where Do Lobby Groups Obtain Information?	129
Media Analysts	130
Senate Estimates	132
Federal Budget Lockup for Stakeholders	133
12 Effective Lobbying Practices	135
Why a Database Should Be Built for Your Lobby Group	138
Top 10 Fundraising Ideas From Our Community	139
Bequests	140
Events	140
Structure of Lobby Groups	141
What Lobby Groups Need	142
People to Be Wary Of	143
Who Is Important to Your Lobby Group?	145
Patrons	145
Media	146
Internet Versus Snail Mail	148
Power of Websites	149
Tips for Producing a Newsletter/Magazine	152
New Technology for Lobbyists	152
Internet Advertising on a Lobby Website	154
Magazine Advertising	155
Top National Magazines and Newspapers	155
Radio Networks	156
Creation of a Fighting Fund/Education Fund/Fundraising Fund	158
Case Study of Corporate Sponsors: Australian Conservation Foundation	159
13 Ineffective Lobbying Practices	162
Form Letters	164
No Database	165
Memorandums of Understanding Between Lobby Groups	165
Ministerial Warnings	165
The Right to Protest	166
Guidelines for Protests and Demonstrations in Canberra	167
Petitions	168
14 Using Think Tanks	170
How Think Tanks Describe Themselves	176
15 Using Economic Modellers	181
What Types of Models Are Being Used?	183
Do Clients Get What They Pay For?	183
Influential Canberra Economic Modellers	184
16 Conclusion	187
Part Three: Directory of Lobby Groups	191
Appendixes
I Statistical Breakdown of 150 Lobby Groups	238
II Example of a Public Sector Communication Strategy, 2005	251
III Case Study: ICAA Government Affairs Department	254
IV Media and Lobby Groups: AMA and ADGP	257
Index	259