Lobbying

Government relations, also known as government affairs or legislative affairs, is a way to share ideas about important issues with lawmakers and leaders who make rules.

Lobbying is a big part of government relations. It means supporting or opposing certain laws or rules. People who work as lobbyists often talk to lawmakers or their helpers. Many lobbyists need to sign up on a special list called a lobby register.

Besides lobbyists, there are other professionals who help with government relations. These people support lobbyists or work on influence efforts but are not called lobbyists by law. A principal is someone or a group that hires a lobbyist or leads an advocacy group. They help organize meetings between lawmakers and people who care about an issue.

Overview

Lobbying means talking to lawmakers to try to change rules and laws based on what they care about. Many groups can lobby, like everyday people, companies, charities, and special interest groups.

Lobbying often means sharing research and ideas with lawmakers to show why a rule or law should be made or changed. Groups that hire people to lobby usually spend money on meetings, research, and sharing their views. When groups work on lobbying inside their own organization, like charities or unions, it’s called policy and advocacy. This can include many activities like educating the public or building support for a cause.

Different people and groups take on different roles in lobbying. Some are the groups or people who hire lobbyists to speak for them. Others are everyday people or volunteers who share their views with lawmakers. Professional lobbyists are people hired to influence laws and rules, and they often have to register with the government. There are also many other workers who support lobbying efforts but don’t count as lobbyists themselves.

Laws often try to make sure lobbying is done openly and fairly. For example, in the United States, there are rules about how much money can be spent and what must be shared with the public. However, these rules can have gaps, and sometimes well-funded groups can have more influence than everyday people. Big businesses often spend a lot of money on lobbying to try to shape laws in ways that help them.

History and etymology

History

In the past, people could sometimes talk to kings and their advisors in royal courts.

Etymology

The word "lobby" likely comes from a Latin word meaning a hall or gallery. Over time, it came to mean talking and arguing in such places.

People began using the word "lobbying" to describe how members of the public would meet with lawmakers in the hallways of the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament before and after debates.

Some think the term started at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., where President Ulysses S. Grant noticed people trying to talk to him in the hotel lobby. But records show people used the word "lobbying" much earlier, as far back as 1808 in Pennsylvania.

The term was used in writing as early as 1820 to describe lawmakers trying to influence others.

Lobbying by country

Australia

Since the 1980s, lobbying in Australia has grown from a small industry to a big one that now employs over 10,000 people. It started with big companies and local groups, like property developers, but now includes almost every kind of group or industry.

John Warhurst from the Australian National University noticed that retired politicians often become lobbyists. They use their connections and experience to help clients. In 2018, he pointed out that two top ministers from the Howard government, Alexander Downer and Peter Costello, had become lobbyists. This trend goes back to the Hawke government in 1983. Mick Young said that by 1983, lobbying was already an important part of politics in Canberra.

Politicians sometimes face questions about conflicts of interest when they lobby while also advising governments. Examples include Peter Costello.

Political party staff often start their own lobbying firms or join existing ones. Former Howard chief-of-staff Grahame Morris works at Barton Deakin Government Relations. His team includes several former staff members and politicians.

In 2013, there were almost 280 lobbying firms listed on the Federal Australian Register of Lobbyists.

New laws in South Australia started in July 2025. These laws ban political donations and use public money to fund parties and candidates. This change puts smaller parties and independent groups at a disadvantage, while bigger parties get more money to run their campaigns.

Supermarket chains in Australia also use lobbying firms. Coles is represented by ECG Consulting and Bespoke Approach. Its parent company, Wesfarmers, has a former West Australian premier in charge of corporate affairs. Woolworths has a team of former Labor and Liberal advisers. Aldi uses GRA, one of Australia’s largest lobbying firms.

Australia has a public register of lobbyists kept by the Australian Government. States also have their own registers. Some rules say only listed lobbyists can contact government representatives for lobbying purposes.

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

In December 2022, a report mentioned a senior Czech MEP, Tomáš Zdechovský. He was questioned for visiting Bahrain in April 2022 without telling anyone. He is chair of the European Parliament’s Bahrain friendship group.

Canada

Canada has a Registry of Lobbyists. Since the late 20th century, lobbying has been regulated to increase transparency and set ethics rules.

European Union

Main article: European Union lobbying

Lobbying in the European Union is an important part of decision-making. Rules for lobbying are constantly improving, and the number of lobbyists is growing.

In 2003, there were about 15,000 lobbyists in Brussels seeking to influence EU laws.

Lobby organisations sometimes hire former EU employees who know the EU’s inner workings. This practice is called the “revolving door.”

In 2019, the European Parliament adopted rules requiring MEPs to publish meetings with lobbyists online.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia lobbied the European Union to ease sanctions on Syria. However, EU nations like France and Germany refused, saying it would support a regime accused of serious harms.

France

France currently has no rules for lobbying activities. There is no special register for French lobbyists, but they can register with the European Union.

Germany

Germany has had lobbying since 1956. A mandatory lobby register started in Germany in 2022, along with a code of conduct. Stricter rules began in March 2024.

Italy

Italy does not have national laws about lobbying. Some regions have their own rules.

In Italy, lobbies have influenced laws and blocked changes that could help the economy grow.

Romania

Romanian law does not clearly regulate lobbying. Attempts to create laws have not finished.

India

India has no laws regulating lobbying. Lobbying is often linked to corruption cases. The Indian government also pays a US firm to lobby for certain deals.

New Zealand

New Zealand has no register for lobbyists and no cooling-off period for public officials becoming lobbyists. Some rules exist for certain industries.

United Kingdom

In the UK, lobbying is important in making laws. Lobbying happens at national, regional, and local levels.

The word “lobbying” comes from where Members of Parliament and peers gather before debates.

United States

In the United States, some special interests hire professional advocates to support specific laws. Some lobbyists now use social media to reach officials.

Foreign governments also lobby in the US. They must register as foreign agents with the Justice Department.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE has lobbied governments and politicians in the West. In 2022, it was accused of hiring firms to promote its selection to host the COP28 Climate Conference before Egypt hosted COP27.

In 2024, a report uncovered the UAE’s lobbying in Europe, involving human rights groups accused of taking money to support the UAE’s agenda.

Other

• Israel (1994) – a unique lobby called "Lobby 99" works at the Israeli parliament. It is funded by the people through crowdfunding.
• Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law legislation on lobbying.
• Kazakhstan: Since 1998, Kazakhstan has tried to pass a law on lobbying.
• South Korea: In South Korea, lobbying is seen as corruption and is illegal.
• United Nations are relevant to NGO lobbying.

Criticism

People sometimes argue about whether lobbying is right or wrong. Some think lobbying can look bad, especially when powerful groups try to change laws to help themselves more than everyone else.

When leaders who should make choices for the people they represent are persuaded by special groups, it can create a problem. This means they might not be making the best choices for everyone, but only for those who give them benefits. This can lead to leaders making choices that most people in their area do not want, especially when there is a lot of money from special groups and not much public attention on the issues. This is why some people think lobbying can make fair and open decision-making harder in a democracy.

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