Lobbying in South Australia

Political lobbying is an activity by which organisations or individuals attempt to influence the Government of South Australia in its policy, regulation, and law-making. Since 1 December 2009, lobbyists commercially operating on behalf of third party interests are required to join a register and must also comply with a Code of Conduct.^[1] The register was available to the public via the website of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, but from 1 July 2024 moved to the Attorney-General's Department.^[2] The list includes the names of registered entities, their employed lobbyists, and their clients.^[3]

New state laws, the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024, which came into operation on 1 July 2025, have banned political donations, instead funding parties and candidates with taxpayer funds. The effect of the changes mean that minor parties and independents will be at a disadvantage, while incumbent parties will be well funded to run their campaigns with public money, although the legislation includes provisions such as advance payments to new entrants, who will be entitled to receive donations of up to $5,000 and will also be subject to a spending cap. According to The Australia Institute, around 75 per cent of public funding will go to the major parties, and only 1-2 per cent to new entrants. South Australia's changes have gone further than any other state, and possibly any other country, with this legislation.^[4][5]

During the Rann government and later the Weatherill government (post 2011), significant efforts were made to encourage mineral and energy resource development in South Australia. Government initiatives were welcomed by the private sector, many of which engaged third party lobbyists to further their objectives. Some lobbyists represent these sectors as part of a broader portfolio of interests (Bespoke Approach, for example) ^{[citation needed]} while others such as Barker Wentworth are more specialised. ^{[citation needed]} Crosby Textor is another high profile international lobbying firm active in this area in SA.^[6]

Turning Point Australia (TPAUS), which was founded by Joel Jammal in 2023, has established a branch in Adelaide led by George Mamalis, specifically in order to try to influence the outcome of the 2026 South Australian state election in March 2026 by lobbying for minor right-wing parties at the election.^[9][10] TPAUS is a branded offshoot of Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk.^[11] Its stated mission is "to organise grassroots activism campaigns that educate, train, and assist citizens in fighting for freedom in Australia",^[11] with Jammal describing the group as "ambassadors for freedom, free speech, family values, and business".^[10] Mamalis previously worked for former state Liberal leader David Speirs, for Sarah Game when she was with One Nation SA, and later for Liberal senator Alex Antic.^[10] He founded The Adelaide Set, "a grassroots media platform"^[11] which espoused vaccine skepticism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then has been dominated by right-wing issues such as "mass migration", net zero, trans issues, and the protection of "western culture". Mamalis regularly shares posts featuring South Australian anti-abortion campaigner Joanna Howe, Sarah Game, Pauline Hanson,^[10] and Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis, who is running for Sarah Game's new party, Fair Go for Australians.^[9] As of February 2026^[update] the group is not registered on the Lobbyist Register.^[12] TPAUS aims to establish chapters across Australia, including in high schools and universities, with Jammal wanting politicians to see the organisation as "the biggest threat in keeping voters informed".^[10] The group expects to spend over A$10,000 on their campaign, which will see them hosting events on university campuses, among other events.^[9]