The Government Relations Professionals Association,a group representing lobbyists in Queensland,today supported the proposed changes including renaming the register.
GRPA president Barton Green acknowledged there was some opposition within the industry to the lobbyist label and said the document should be called a Register of Government Relations Consultants.
The term,in their view,has a pejorative connotation.
Mr Green also backed the need to widen the lobbying activities covered by the measures.
“The GRPA has consistently registered its concern that some,but not all,lobbyists are required to be registered,with those registered representing only a minor proportion of real lobbying activity,” he said.
“The GRPA contends that if government is seeking transparency and integrity in lobbying activities,it should encourage the broadest possible registration of all those who seek to influence government decisions.”
A spokeswoman for Premier Anna Bligh said a recently passed integrity bill clarified the restrictions on persons who offer professional technical services,such as lawyers or engineers,lobbying the government.
“These professionals must register and are subject to the lobbying requirements if their contact with government strays outside of providing technical expertise and advice and into lobbying,” she said.
The spokeswoman brushed off calls for the register to be renamed,saying lobbyists simply must sign up if they wish to make representations to government.
“The law is clear,if you are seeking to lobby government and you don't register as a lobbyist,government representatives are not able to meet with you,” she said.
Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek welcomed the recommendations put forward by Dr Solomon,but said he should go further and probe the previous lobbying activities of Ms Bligh's own personal staff.
In his annual report,Dr Solomon said he was preparing a formal paper explaining in detail his concerns about the present system and his suggestions for its reform.