Speaker says privacy rules out lobbyist list

Parliament's Speaker, Lockwood Smith, has cited privacy reasons in refusing a request by Green co-leader Russel Norman to identify lobbyists who have access cards to Parliament.

But Mark Unsworth from Wellington firm Saunders Unsworth and Tony O'Brien of Sky Television have identified themselves, saying they have nothing to hide.

Dr Norman is seeking more openness in the lobbying process and wants Parliament to follow the example of Canada and Australia.

Both countries have a public register of lobbyists that also names their clients.

United States President Barack Obama has also introduced strict rules of conduct regarding political lobbying of his Administration.

Dr Smith told Dr Norman in a letter that the passes were issued to visitors who needed to visit Parliament more than three times a week for their business.

They had to be sponsored by an MP to get a pass.

The pass limited visitors to public areas, and lobbyists had to make appointments to see MPs.

Dr Norman said the public interest in knowing outweighed any privacy issues.

People should be able to find out who was paying lobbyists.

"Lobbyists have a big influence on legislation and Government activities, so it is important that we see what they are doing.

"If you have substantial amounts of money and you can afford to hire a lobbyist, I reckon your influence on the Government decision-making process is significantly enhanced."

There was nothing wrong with having lobbyists, "but we need to be able to see what they are doing and who they are working for".

Mr Unsworth said he had had a pass for about 15 years. It made getting into Parliament more convenient.

It didn't give access to ministers' offices "but to me it is a bit like the Koru lounge - it doesn't give you a free ticket on the plane, but it makes the travelling experience a bit easier."

Mr Unsworth said he would not have a problem with a register of lobbyists, or a code of conduct.

Exceltium's Mathew Hooton, a lobbyist and political commentator, does not have a pass. He said setting up a register could create a barrier to entry.

A register requiring the names of lobbyists and clients to be declared might give greater transparency, he said.

"If you do that, though, you will be saying there will be people who until they have gone through that process may not enter Parliament and that would be a move away from the open Parliament we have.

"You may gain greater transparency but you would potentially create a barrier to entry."

Mr O'Brien, who manages Sky Television's Government relations and is a frequent visitor to Parliament, said he had a pass. "I've got nothing to hide."

He had no view about a register of lobbyists, saying: "It is immaterial as far as I am concerned."