CIPR welcomes government ethics reforms but warns changes fall short on lobbying transparency
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has welcomed the restructuring of the government's ethics framework as it confirms the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) has been closed.
The move is part of a wider restructure to improve standards and ethical conduct in government and sees the introduction of the Ethics and Integrity Commission to oversee the work of a other regulatory bodies.
However, the CIPR warns that the proposed changes still do not go far enough to improve transparency and accountability when it comes to those lobbying the government. The Institute's Lobbying for Good Lobbying campaign is seeking to amend the Lobbying Act and widen the requirement to register lobbying activity.
Lobbying plays a key part in our democracy and addressing the lack of transparency mandated by our current laws impacts the integrity and public perception of businesses and parliamentarians.
While the Ethics and Integrity Commission focuses on immediate concerns surrounding the actions of those within Parliament and those who have recently left it fails to address external lobbying. We will continue to make the case that a broader lobbying register will encourage ethical behaviour, enhance public trust, and uphold the highest standards of integrity from lobbyists and politicians.
- Find out more about the CIPR's Lobbying for Good Lobbying Campaign
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners with over 11,000 members.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).