Declining trust in government is helping fuel One Nation’s rise, and the failure to properly regulate lobbying has left powerful insiders in gambling, defence and fossil fuels with too much influence over public policy.

Declining trust in government and parliament are important reasons for the rise of One Nation. Some of that lack of trust is caused by the Albanese government.

Before the November 2022 election the Prime Minister criticised the former Morrison government for its “government by deception, government in secret” He promised to “restore trust and accountability in politics”.

He hasn’t. According to the Centre for Public Integrity, the Albanese government is less transparent than its predecessor-FOI, ICAC, whistle blower protection, public appointments and more.

But failure to properly regulate lobbying is the standout failure. Lobbyists are the “insiders” who have inordinate and powerful influence on governments, particularly in gambling, defence and fossil fuels.

A major obstacle to reform is that for many members of parliament, their staff and senior officials, lobbying provides a very lucrative income when they leave parliament or the public service. It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of registered lobbyists in Canberra have previously worked in government, for the Coalition and Labor. They refuse to act on the lobbying scourge. It is an incestuous club.

Many were appalled that the recommendations of a Parliamentary Committee on the scourge of gambling chaired by the late Peta Murphy was run into the sand by the Albanese Government. The gambling lobby won again. The victims and their families were ignored.

Transparency International Australia has revealed that since 2011 at least eight federal ministers, senior ministerial advisers, including those in relevant portfolios and one state premier have taken up or worked in roles as........

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