Lobbying in South Australia

Various individuals and organisations undertake political lobbying on a variety of issues in the state of South Australia.

Description

Political lobbying is an activity by which organisations 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.[1] The register was available to the public via the website of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, but from 1 July 2024 moved to the Attorney-General's Department.[2] The list includes the names of registered entities, their employed lobbyists, and their clients.[3]

Funding of lobby groups

New state laws, the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024, which came into operation on 1 July 2025, have banned political donations, instead funding parties and candidates with taxpayer funds. The effect of the changes mean that minor parties and independents will be at a disadvantage, while incumbent parties will be well funded to run their campaigns with public money, although the legislation includes provisions such as advance payments to new entrants, who will be entitled to receive donations of up to $5,000 and will also be subject to a spending cap. According to The Australia Institute, around 75 per cent of public funding will go to the major parties, and only 1-2 per cent to new entrants. South Australia's changes have gone further than any other state, and possibly any other country, with this legislation.[4][5]

Resources and energy sector lobbyists

During the Rann government and later the Weatherill government (post 2011), 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 (Bespoke Approach, for example) while others such as Barker Wentworth are more specialised. Crosby Textor is another high profile international lobbying firm active in this area in SA.[6]

Marathon Resources compensation claim

Exploration company Marathon Resources successfully lobbied the South Australian government for compensation after a ban on mining was introduced in the Arkaroola Protection Area, where the company had previously been exploring for uranium. In 2011, the company had three former Labor ministers, a former state Liberal MP and a former federal Liberal minister lobbying for the company or sitting on its board. The company's lobbyists included ALP lobbyist John Quirke, former Liberal MP Graham Gunn, and the firm Bespoke Approach (which is composed of Nick Bolkus, Alexander Downer and Ian Smith). Chris Schacht was sitting on the company's board during the compensation drive.[7] In 2012, the company was paid $5 million in compensation by the Government of South Australia.[8]

Unofficial lobby groups

Turning Point Australia (TPAUS), which was founded by Joel Jammal in 2023, has established a branch in Adelaide led by George Mamalis, specifically in order to try to influence the outcome of the 2026 South Australian state election in March 2026 by lobbying for minor right-wing parties at the election.[9][10] TPAUS is a branded offshoot of Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk.[11] Its stated mission is "to organise grassroots activism campaigns that educate, train, and assist citizens in fighting for freedom in Australia",[11] with Jammal describing the group as "ambassadors for freedom, free speech, family values, and business".[10] Mamalis previously worked for former state Liberal leader David Speirs, for Sarah Game when she was with One Nation SA, and later for Liberal senator Alex Antic.[10] He founded The Adelaide Set, "a grassroots media platform"[11] which espoused vaccine skepticism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then has been dominated by right-wing issues such as "mass migration", net zero, trans issues, and the protection of "western culture". Mamalis regularly shares posts featuring South Australian anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe, Sarah Game, Pauline Hanson,[10] and Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis, who is running for Sarah Game's new party, Fair Go for Australians.[9] As of February 2026 the group is not registered on the Lobbyist Register.[12] TPAUS aims to establish chapters across Australia, including in high schools and universities, with Jammal wanting politicians to see the organisation as "the biggest threat in keeping voters informed".[10] The group expects to spend over A$10,000 on their campaign, which will see them hosting events on university campuses, among other events.[9]

People

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,[13] as of 2018 lobbying as Rod Hook & Associates is an example of this.[14][15]

Former politicians turned lobbyists

Many consultant lobbyists in South Australia are former state or federal politicians. As of April 2015 they included (listed with former party affiliations):[16]

Name Former party affiliation Political retirement Lobbying as
Baldwin, Bob Liberal 2016 Outcomes & Strategies Group[17]
Bolkus, Nick Labor 2003 Nick Bolkus, Kazaru,[18] Bespoke Approach
Conlon, Patrick Labor 2014 Patrick Conlon, Conlon Farrell Consulting,[19] Conlon Advisory[20]
Crafter, Greg Labor 1993 Greg Crafter Consulting
Downer, Alexander Liberal 2008 Bespoke Approach
Duluk, Sam Liberal 2022 Capetal Advisory[21]
Elferink, John Country Liberal 2016 John Elferink[22]
Evans, Iain Liberal 2014 Iain Evans Consulting[23][24]
Everingham, Paul Country Liberal

1987

GRA Everingham
Foley, Kevin Labor 2011 Foley Advisory,[25] Bespoke Approach
Gunn, Graham Liberal 2010 Graham Gunn, The Colt Consulting Trust[26]
Henderson, Paul Labor 2013 Bespoke Territory (affiliated with Bespoke Approach)
Ingerson, Graham Liberal 2001 Expedite SA, Visionary and Enterprising Management Services,[27][22] GA & JA Ingerson,[28]
Jeanes, Susan Liberal Right Angle Business Services
Lewis, Peter Independent, previously Liberal 2006 Essential Media Communications
Matthew, Wayne Liberal 2006 Government Relations Solutions,[29] Govstrat
Olsen, John Liberal 2001 Bespoke Approach
Portolesi, Grace Labor 2014 Grace Portolesi Connect[30]
Pyne, Christopher Liberal 2019 Pyne & Partners, GC Advisory (co-owned by Adam Howard)[31]
Quirke, John Labor 2000 Pallidon, The Colt Consulting Trust[32][26]
Reith, Peter Liberal 2001 Peter Reith


Snelling, Jack Labor Snelling Consulting[33]
Santoro, Santo Liberal 2007 Santo Santoro Consulting
Schacht, Chris Labor 2002 Chris Schacht
Wright, Michael Labor 2014 Michael Wright[34]

References

  1. ^ "Lobbyist: Code of Conduct". Department of Premier & Cabinet. Government of South Australia. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  2. ^ "SA Lobbyist Register moves to Attorney-General's Department". Department of the Premier and Cabinet. 1 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". Lobbyist Portal. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  4. ^ "South Australia's leap into the unknown with political finance changes". The Australia Institute. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  5. ^ "World first political donation ban passes Parliament". Premier of South Australia. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Marathon brings in politicos for Arkaroola fight". Australian Mining. 16 August 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  8. ^ "SA Government pays Marathon Resources $5 million". Australian Mining. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b c Kelsall, Thomas (6 October 2025). "Turning Point Australia moves into SA, but Opposition Leader says 'votes are won in the centre of politics'". ABC News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  10. ^ a b c d e Shepherd, Tory (1 February 2026). "From cute dogs to Turning Point: the journey of an influencer aiming to breathe rightwing Christian values into Australian politics". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ^ a b c "About". Turning Point Australia. 19 August 2025. Archived from the original on 27 December 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  12. ^ "[Search on "Turning"". Lobbyist Portal. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Rod Hook upset at losing key infrastructure post". ABC News. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Team". Rod Hook and Associates. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Rod Hook & Associates - South Australian Register of Lobbyists" (PDF). 29 June 2016.
  16. ^ "Lobbyist: Who is on the register?". Department of Premier & Cabinet. Government of South Australia. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Bob Baldwin", Wikipedia, 1 May 2021, retrieved 14 June 2021
  18. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  19. ^ "South Australian Register of Lobbyists - Conlon Farrell Consulting" (PDF). 7 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Capetal Advisory".
  22. ^ a b "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Iain Evans Consulting Trust - South Australian Register of Lobbyists" (PDF). 1 April 2018.
  24. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  25. ^ "SA Lobbyists Register - Foley Advisory".
  26. ^ a b "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  27. ^ "South Australian Register of Lobbyists - Visionary & Enterprising Management Services" (PDF). 3 May 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  28. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  32. ^ "South Australian Register of Lobbyists - Trustee for The Colt Consulting Trust" (PDF). 23 March 2018.
  33. ^ "SA Lobbyists Register - Snelling Consulting".
  34. ^ "Lobbyist Portal". www.lobbyists.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
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