An electoral commission is being tasked with keeping a close eye on lobbyists to ensure politics is kept clean from shady back-room deals.
Hot on the heels of a long-running corruption probe into the Liberal Party that also involved Labor councillors, the NSW government announced a series of transparency reforms on Monday.
Developed in consultation with the state's corruption and election watchdogs, they include formally establishing the NSW Electoral Commission as a lobbying regulator and bolstering its investigative powers to audit compliance.
The government will also amend laws to capture powerbrokers pushing agendas with local government officials by requiring third-party lobbyists who engage with councils to register.
A cooling off period of up to six months between certain government roles and taking up a private sector job related to their former public service employment will also be mandated.
Known as the revolving door, the laws will curb movement of government officials into the consultancy field.
Special Minister of State John Graham said the integrity package was aimed at restoring public trust in state politics, with One Nation's anti-establishment brand solidifying popularity ahead March 2027's state vote.
"People expect governments to operate with transparency, and they expect strong safeguards against undue influence," he said on Monday
"Over the decades, including very recently, we have seen corrupt behaviour targeting local government. That is why it’s important we strengthen the protections around lobbying."
While not specifically mentioning it by name, Mr Graham referred to Operation Rosny - the sprawling, 10-week Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry which wrapped in September.
Local Sydney councillors with links to fugitive property developer Jean Nassif were implicated in alleged blackmail and spying as well as lobbyists close to the Liberal Party.
They included brothers of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.
ICAC investigated alleged kickbacks involving Nassif and his company, Toplace, between 2020 and 2023, with political donations from developers banned in NSW since 2009.
Former ICAC assistant commissioner and retired Supreme Court judge Anthony Whealy rated Rosny as one of the most impactful investigations in the body's almost 40-year history.
Mr Graham noted local government was the last level of government where guardrails for lobbying needed to be established to match federal and state governments.
Other proposed reforms include making ministerial diary disclosures more searchable and accessible, as well as increasing transparency around fundraising events that provide exclusive or private access to ministers.
The Ministers' Office Handbook will also be updated to impress upon former staffers that they not misuse confidential information.
