Vic Labor facing Conroy questions

Victorian Labor is facing questions on what to do about former senator-turned-lobbyist Stephen Conroy, who still sits on the party executive.

Stephen Conroy

Victorian Labor faces questions on what to do about former senator-turned-lobbyist Stephen Conroy. (AAP) Source: AAP

Victoria is under pressure to change its lobbying rules to limit the influence of Labor senator-turned-lobbyist Stephen Conroy.

Since leaving federal parliament, Mr Conroy has become a lobbyist for La Trobe University and Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents big-league gambling companies like CrownBet and SportsBet.

But the influential powerbroker still sits on the Australian Labor Party executive.

In question time on Thursday, Greens MP Sam Hibbins asked if Premier Daniel Andrews would change the state register rules to be like the federal register.

Federal rules ensure a member of a state or federal political party executive or administrative committee cannot be a registered lobbyist.

"Premier, will you commit to adding this provision to the state code of conduct so lobbyists can't also be party factional powerbrokers like Stephen Conroy?" Mr Hibbins said.

"I'm more than happy to discuss these matters with the member for Prahan, happy to," Mr Andrews replied.

Gaming Minister Marlene Kairouz, who is part of a rival faction to Mr Conroy, recently said she would not meet with the former senator due to a clear conflict of interest between his job and his Labor role.


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Source: AAP


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