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WA plans to re-introduce lobbyists bill

WA's lobbyists bill, promised to be made a law since 2008, will likely be reintroduced before the end of the year, Premier Colin Barnett says.

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Source: AAP


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Western Australia's Liberal-led government plans to reintroduce its long-stalled lobbyists bill by the end of the year.

WA Premier Colin Barnett has pledged since 2008 to get the bill passed but it has stalled.

In November, the WA opposition wanted the Legislative Assembly recalled so the bill could be pushed through parliament - given the Lower House would not sit again until after the March election - but the government refused after amending the bill many times.

"We are making some amendments to the bill but, yes, we intend to reintroduce it, probably before the end of the year," Mr Barnett told AAP on Friday.

Under the draft bill, lobbyists have to join a register and cannot receive payments or other rewards that are dependent on the outcome of their lobbying activities.

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Mr Barnett promised the law following revelations about some ministers' dealings with former Labor premier-turned-lobbyist Brian Burke and his business partner Julian Grill.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday that he would move to ban party officials from the official lobbyist register.

Shortly after, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell announced a ban on Liberal party officials and managers in the state also acting as lobbyists, from October 31.


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