He said most lobby groups aim to have a bipartisan skill set, but most changes in government involve restructuring or a subtle shift in approach. He said internally the most recent push had been to reorient his federal team to work with Labour.
Mr Kenny was a NSW Labor civil servant and former Palaszczuk government apparatchik, before moving to Mr Albanese’s office in opposition where he advised the MP on caucus and cabinet matters.
Discover the preferences of Albanese
Mr Barnett, who joined in 2020, has also trained Independent Representatives in NSW. He was an adviser and spokesperson for former Wentworth Independent Kerryn Phelps and also worked on Warringah Independent Zali Steggall’s successful election campaign in 2019.
Following this month’s federal budget, a group of business leaders, industry group bosses and politicians noted the Albanian government’s initial preference for dealing with industry groups, tech bodies and trade unions , as opposed to former treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s preference to go directly — usually by phone — to corporate executives. Many have said to financial analysis, on condition of anonymity, that she had encouraged them to strengthen relations with lobbyists and unions as emissaries to the government.
Meanwhile, East Coast lobbyists say they are bracing for the likely re-election of Daniel Andrews in Victoria and a possible Labor government in New South Wales to replace Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet’s Liberal government in the election. of State of 2023.
For their part, lobbyists claimed they felt no difference working with Labour, or if they did, it was just the most subtle of changes.
“Dealing with a Labor government is no different than any other,” Christopher Pyne told the Financial analysis. “They are results-oriented. If you want to shoot the breeze, save it. If you want to shake things up, you are welcome.
After the election, David Gazard’s DPG Advisory, widely known as Scott Morrison’s closest lobby shop, hired former Australia Institute executive director Ben Oquist – who is married to Greens senator Sarah Hanson -Young. He also hired Chris Fry, a former Labor adviser who worked for Simon Crean, Gareth Evans and Kim Beazley.
Move and shake
In Sydney, former Liberal MP Mr Pyne has added former Gillard-era senior adviser Tony Hodges to his staff.
Sydney-based Cornerstone Advisory, led by Liberal power veteran Joe Tannous, has also made new hires with Labor stripes. These include Daniel Hoare in Melbourne, who is responsible for managing the lobby shop’s relationship with Prime Minister Daniel Andrews’ Labor government.
He is a former adviser to former Victoria roads minister Luke Donnellan, who was the kingpin of the right-wing Labor faction in the Andrews Cabinet for two terms. In Queensland, the team added former Bob Carr lieutenant Damien Power, who is also a former treasurer for the state’s Labor branch.
Although the group has hired new staff since the federal election, Mr Tannous – who is a former Liberal official – insists the team is staunchly bipartisan. Former Federal Opposition Leader Simon Crean is its co-chair while James Cullen, who is currently chief of staff to NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns, is a former director. Craig Laundy, a former Turnbull-era Liberal MP, is also a trustee.
“We’ve put in a few associates and we’re putting in more, but that’s nothing new for us: we’ve had a long-standing relationship with that side of politics, so it’s not a matter of changing colors. “said Mr. Tannous. said.
“Sometimes you can change or modify your approach slightly, but it’s about having good relations with the opposition knowing that one day they will be in government. It’s also about working with backbench MPs knowing that they will one day be frontbench.
