Crossbenchers are calling for an urgent crackdown on political lobbyists as a report emerged that the cabinet minister Michelle Rowland was “wined and dined” by gambling lobbyists on her birthday last year.
The teal MP and member for Kooyong, Monique Ryan, introduced a private member’s bill on Monday morning to “clean up politics” by enforcing stronger rules and more transparency around lobbying, as well as making ministers’ diaries publicly available.
The Australian Financial Review reported on Monday that Rowland, the communications minister whose portfolio covers gambling laws, was taken to a lunch by gambling lobbyists at one of Melbourne’s top restaurants on her birthday last November.
