| Circular Number | 2019-11 |
| Issue date: | 12 August 2019 |
| Application: | All Victorian public sector employers |
| Resources |
Engaging with Lobbyists: Guidance for Victorian public sector employees (DOCX, 110KB) Superseded by guide to engaging with lobbyists in the Victorian Public Sector. |
| Enquiries: | Integrity and Oversight branch Victorian Public Sector Commission 03 9922 8600 [email protected] |
The VPSC has created a guide titled Engaging with Lobbyists – Guidance for Victorian Public Sector Employees. This guide assists Victorian public sector employees understand and comply with their responsibilities under the respective codes of conduct.
Read the lobbyist guidance material
Public sector employers and their employees must be aware of the obligations that are placed upon them by the Victorian Government Professional Lobbyists Code of Conduct (Lobbyist Code) and the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees (Code of Conduct) where they engage with lobbyists. Ensuring these obligations are met is essential to maintaining public trust in Government and ensures transparency, integrity and honesty.
Employees are required to ensure that they are meeting with an appropriately registered lobbyist and must decline meetings or other contact with lobbyists if they are not listed on the Register. Employees are also required to not engage with lobbyists who do not provide information about their clients or their involvement in a government tender process.
Public sector employers may wish to develop guidelines that further clarify and support the two codes, including the requirements and situations that are specific to their workplace. The VPSC strongly encourages public sector employers in frequent contact with lobbyists to take this approach in developing additional materials.
It is important that Departments also promote the obligations when dealing with lobbyists to the public entities in their portfolio.
The Lobbyists Code applies to public officials including public sector employees through:
Under section 66 of the Public Administration Act 2004, the VPSC must maintain a public Register in accordance with the Lobbyist Code.
The Guide applies to Victorian public sector employees and public sector bodies. The Guide provides context and clarifies the codes that are binding on Victorian public sector employers and employees. Adoption of this Guide will ensure consistency across the public sector and guide a uniform approach to lobbyist engagement while safeguarding public trust in Government.
The Engaging with Lobbyists: Guidance for Victorian public sector employees was published on 12 August 2019.