Politicians and the media pack have descended on Canberra for the Federal Budget announcements on Tuesday night. Over recent weeks lobbyists have walked the corridors of Parliament House, knocking on doors or attending private events and closed door meetings to put their funding case to ministers.
Should publication of ministerial and lobbyists diaries be mandated for transparency? What role should lobbyists play in legitimately bringing diverse perspectives to the democratic process to inform policy development and decision making?