Guardian report says NSW corruption inquiry exposes lobbying loopholes and party influence

The Guardian reported that a recent inquiry by the New South Wales corruption watchdog, known as Rosny, highlighted the ease with which a group of right‑wing Liberal operatives called the Reformers could navigate the corridors of parliament. The investigation uncovered a dirt file on a state minister that was passed to journalists, a covert campaign to discredit the building commissioner, and efforts to persuade the Liberal party to remove councillors in the Hills district who were obstructing a developer.

According to the newspaper, the findings illustrate a broader "guns for hire" problem in the state, with both major parties showing little appetite for substantial reform. The report added that Premier Chris Minns is attempting to tackle the threat of undeclared lobbying, but his measures fall well short of the recommendations made by the anti‑corruption commission five years ago.

The Guardian’s coverage suggests that the lack of decisive action may allow similar lobbying practices to persist, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in NSW politics.

Why it matters

The report shows how unchecked lobbying and party influence can undermine democratic processes and public trust in government.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

12 Nov 2026, 19:30 IST

Key names

NSW, Convincing the Liberal, Chris Minns, Hills

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianIcac’s drama and dirt files show NSW’s ‘guns for hire’ problem. But neither major party is serious about reform 12 Nov, 19:30

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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