Big Tobacco, Big Coal, Big Banks: The Lobbyists Charming our Leaders

2026-03-09

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Independent MP Monique Ryan can remember a time in Australian politics when small breaches could cost a career. Now she says we’ve been gradually conditioned to tolerate corruption and the loss of transparency in parliament. Over recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of lobbyists with access to Parliament House. Literally thousands move through the building, meeting politicians and staffers; often leaving little public trace of who they’ve spoken to and why. Today, Independent MP, Monique Ryan on the thousands of lob...

Independent MP Monique Ryan can remember a time in Australian politics when small breaches could cost a career.

Now she says we’ve been gradually conditioned to tolerate corruption and the loss of transparency in parliament.

Over recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of lobbyists with access to Parliament House. Literally thousands move through the building, meeting politicians and staffers; often leaving little public trace of who they’ve spoken to and why.

Today, Independent MP, Monique Ryan on the thousands of lobbyists roaming the halls of Parliament House and the system she says allows them to influence, behind closed doors, the decisions that affect us all.

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Guest: Dr Monique Ryan, Independent MP

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

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