Lobbying in South Australia


Lobbying in South Australia is a growing activity, by which organizations or individuals attempt to influence the Government of South Australia in its policy, regulation and law-making. Since 1 December 2009, lobbyists commercially operating on behalf of third party interests are required to join a register and must also comply with a Code of Conduct. The register is available to the public via the website of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and lists the names of registered entities, their employed lobbyists and their clients. As of April 2015, sixty-five different entities are listed on the register, with notable examples including Bespoke Approach and Barker Wentworth.

Former politicians turned lobbyists

Many consultant lobbyists in South Australia are former state or federal politicians. They include :
NameFormer party affiliationPolitical retirementLobbying as
Bolkus, NickLabor2003Nick Bolkus, Kazaru, Bespoke Approach
Conlon, PatrickLabor2014Patrick Conlon, Conlon Farrell Consulting
Crafter, GregLaborGreg Crafter Consulting
Downer, AlexanderLiberal2008Bespoke Approach
Evans, IainLiberal2014Iain Evans Consulting
Everingham, PaulCountry LiberalGRA Everingham
Foley, KevinLabor2011Foley Advisory, Bespoke Approach
Gunn, GrahamLiberal2010Graham Gunn
Henderson, PaulLabor2013Bespoke Territory
Ingerson, GrahamLiberal2001Expedite SA, Visionary and Enterprising Management Services
Jeanes, SusanLiberalRight Angle Business Services
Lewis, PeterIndependent, previously Liberal2006Essential Media Communications
Matthew, WayneLiberal2006Government Relations Solutions
Olsen, JohnLiberal2001Bespoke Approach
Quirke, JohnLabor2000Pallidon, The Colt Consulting Trust
Reith, PeterLiberal2001Peter Reith
Santoro, SantoLiberal2007Santo Santoro Consulting
Schacht, ChrisLabor2002Chris Schacht

Senior public servants turned lobbyists

Some lobbyists active in South Australia are former senior public servants. Former CEO of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure Rod Hook, now lobbying as Rod Hook & Associates is an example of this.

Resources and energy sector lobbyists

During the Rann Government and more recently the Weatherill Government, significant efforts were made to encourage mineral and energy resource development in South Australia. Government initiatives were welcomed by the private sector, many of which engaged third party lobbyists to further their objectives. Some lobbyists represent these sectors as part of a broader portfolio of interests while others such as Barker Wentworth are more specialised.