2026-07-29
NSW Greens MP and spokesperson for Anti-corruption and ICAC Kobi Shetty has called for urgent lobbying reform and real-time disclosure of meetings with prohibited donors, following explosive allegations aired during ICAC’s Operation Rosny.
Ms Shetty said the allegations are particularly concerning in the context of the Minns Labor Government’s sweeping planning reforms, which have concentrated even more decision-making power through Ministerial decisions, and opaque fast-track planning bodies.
The Greens are working on legislation to implement stronger lobbying reforms in NSW, including an amendment that would require real-time disclosure of meetings between government decision-makers and prohibited donors like property developers.
Kobi Shetty MP for Balmain and Greens NSW Spokesperson on Anti-Corruption and ICAC says:
“The allegations being aired before ICAC are explosive. They go to the heart of public trust in our planning system and whether powerful developers are able to get access and influence behind closed doors.
“The risk here is obvious. When developers with major financial interests can get private access to political power, the public is left wondering who is really making decisions.
“That risk already existed in NSW. Now the Labor Government has rewritten the state’s planning laws to concentrate even more power in the hands of ministers and fast-track planning bodies, despite corruption and planning experts warning against this kind of approach.
“If a prohibited donor like a property developer meets with a Minister, senior adviser, planning official or government decision-maker, the public should know about it in real time. Sunlight is one of the best safeguards against undue influence.
“The public should not have to wait for the next ICAC inquiry to find out who has been getting access behind closed doors.
“The Greens are working on a bill to tackle the unreasonable influence of lobbyists in NSW politics. Considering the allegations in Operation Rosny, we are looking at amendments to require real-time disclosure of meetings with prohibited donors, including property developers.
“In 2021, The ICAC made concrete recommendations to strengthen lobbying laws in NSW, including reforms to stop secret meetings between lobbyists and government officials. Successive governments have dragged their feet, and the Minns Labor Government has so far done nothing to implement these recommendations.
“While the current ICAC inquiry must be allowed to run its course, the allegations have again raised serious questions about the risk of property developer influence in NSW politics.
“NSW cannot keep handing more power to the same planning system while leaving lobbying laws weak, opaque and full of loopholes. It’s everyday people who end up paying the price.”