In Australia, a debate has emerged over the effectiveness of existing rules governing lobbying activities. Despite having a lobbyist register and transparency requirements, critics point out that violations by lobbyists often go unpunished. The lack of effective oversight and sanctions has led to decreased public trust in political processes.
Experts note that a weak monitoring system allows decision-making to be influenced behind the scenes without proper accountability. Some instances of identified violations have ended only with verbal warnings, fostering a sense of impunity. In response, civil society organizations and certain politicians are calling for a significant tightening of the rules — including tougher sanctions and expanded powers for oversight bodies.
For Ukraine, which is in the process of implementing a lobbying law, this experience is valuable. It is important to recognize that even the most modern legislation does not guarantee transparency unless an effective system of monitoring and enforcement is in place. Learning from international practices, particularly Australia’s, can help avoid mistakes and build a system that not only declares but also ensures compliance with the principles of integrity in lobbying.
