Greens seek lobbyist crackdown

Lobbyists and corporate executives in charge of government liaison would be registered and could be penalised for misconduct under a new system proposed by the Greens.

Greens senator Lee Rhiannon plans to introduce a private bill this sitting fortnight to set up a new lobbying commission which would be able to investigate dodgy lobbying activity.

In 2008, the Labor government introduced a lobbying code of conduct and register.

But Senator Rhiannon says the system doesn't go far enough, especially when it comes to sanctions and needs to include employees of big corporations who effectively work as lobbyists.

Success fees would also be banned.