ACT Independent Senator David Pocock has expressed disappointment that Labor, the Coalition and the Greens have decided to continue to hide details of who they are giving privileged access to inside Parliament House by refusing to participate in a new voluntary disclosure register going live today at www.passregister.com.au.
Senator Pocock has created the Parliamentary Pass Register, a new transparency website, following years of inaction from both Labor and the Coalition. At the time of launch it lists 78 people sponsored by 13 parliamentarians. But so far, it’s only independents and One Nation’s Senator Whitten who have disclosed details. Not a single member of the major parties or the Greens has so far disclosed the names or organisations of those they’ve granted access-all-areas passes to.
“Parliament House is the people’s house, yet there’s a tragic lack of transparency around who has access to it. Worryingly Labor, the Coalition and the Greens think that’s acceptable,” Senator Pocock said.
“Australians deserve to know who can walk in here and lobby their elected representatives. A strong democracy depends on transparency and accountability. Refusing to say who you’ve given access to isn’t in line with what Australians want.”
Senator Pocock said the secrecy surrounding passholders undermines trust in our political system.
“A pass sponsored by a parliamentarian provides privileged access. Access that potentially allows certain perspectives to reach decision-makers ahead of others. The public has the right to know who’s being given that privilege.”
The Parliamentary Pass Register gives voters the tools to demand transparency, with an option to email their local MPs and Senators urging them to disclose their passholders. Hundreds of Australians have already used the site to call for openness from their representatives.
Senator Pocock said the initiative was modelled on international best practice.
“This isn’t radical - it’s routine in democracies like the UK, US and New Zealand. What’s radical is continuing to keep it secret and pretending that’s somehow good for democracy.”
“Transparency is the lowest of low bars. I encourage my colleagues to step over it.”
Parliamentarians who have disclosed those they sponsor passes for include:
- Allegra Spender MP
- Andrew Wilkie MP
- Senator David Pocock
- Dr Monique Ryan MP
- Dr Helen Haines MP
- Senator Jacqui Lambie
- Kate Chaney MP
- Senator Lidia Thorpe
- Nicolette Boele MP
- Dr Sophie Scamps MP
- Senator Tyron Whitten
- Zali Steggall OAM MP
- Andrew Gee MP
The Parliamentary Pass Register is now live at www.passregister.com. It also includes an option for sponsored pass holders to self-disclose that they possess a pass and who sponsored it.