The Australian Parliamentary Sports Club has de-registered as a lobbyist as of this morning, following the expulsion of independent senator David Pocock last Thursday over comments he made on the prime minister’s presidency of the club.
According to a statement, the club sought advice on its status on October 3 and was later told it would not need to be registered as a lobbyist.
The club has a number of corporate sponsors, including Responsible Wagering Australia — the peak gambling lobby group. RWA’s CEO Kai Cantwell has been present at social sporting events at Parliament.
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“The Australian Parliament Sports Club LTD would only be required to register if you planned to conduct lobbying activities on behalf of a third-party client … based on the information you have provided, this sounds like it is not the case, and you would not have to register,” advice from the Attorney-General’s department, included in the statement, read.
Pocock was expelled from the club — which mainly organises morning social sport games for politicians and their staff during sitting weeks — for making comments in senate estimates about the prime minister.
“[The prime minister is] essentially, the president of a lobbying firm that lists Responsible Wagering Australia, Pfizer, Diageo and a bunch of others [as members],” Pocock said on Tuesday at estimates.
“I’m just wondering how this interacts with the ministerial code of conduct and when the [Prime Minister’s Office] was made aware of this, or when [the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet] have been made aware of this and what is happening?”
Club CEO Andrew Turnbull rebuked the senator in private messages seen by this masthead as he kicked him out of the club. In today’s statement, Turnbull said Pocock’s statements to senate estimates were “totally at odds with our existing situation” and that his “position was untenable” as a member.
He also said he booted Pocock because the senator did not resign. Turnbull is still listed on the lobbyist register.
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