New South Wales ministers have been advised to avoid solo meetings with Eamonn Fitzpatrick, a prominent lobbyist, following the inclusion of his firm, EJF Advisory, on a watchlist by the NSW Electoral Commission. The commission cited breaches of the lobbying code as the reason for this action.
The NSW lobbyist register indicates that EJF Advisory was placed on the watchlist starting November 13, 2025, due to violations of the Lobbyists Code of Conduct and the Lobbying of Government Officials Act 2011 (Logo Act). The commission’s decision was based on instances where EJF lobbied for two clients not registered on the Lobbyist Register in 2023 and failed to update its registration details by the May 31, 2025 deadline.
An email circulated to all NSW ministers and parliamentary secretaries in November instructed them to ensure that at least two government officials, not political staff, are present during meetings with Fitzpatrick or his firm. These officials are required to take notes, which must then be submitted to the head of the relevant public service agency.
Background and Response
Eamonn Fitzpatrick, once a senior media adviser to several prominent Labor politicians, including former NSW premiers and Australian prime ministers, now leads EJF Advisory. The firm is owned by EF and JH Investments Pty Ltd. Fitzpatrick emphasized his commitment to transparency and compliance across all jurisdictions where his firm operates.
“That’s why I self-reported two genuine errors to the NSW Electoral Commission on 1 November 2023 as soon as I became aware we had not registered two clients within the required 10 days of the firm being engaged to provide assistance,” he told The Guardian.
Fitzpatrick further stated that his firm rectified the lobbyist register immediately and always declares client identities when contacting government officials. The discrepancies arose from the requirement to fill out separate meeting requests for ministerial offices and cross-referencing these with the register.
The Broader Implications
The breaches, initially occurring in 2023, did not result in penalties until 2025 when another minor breach occurred. Fitzpatrick has taken full responsibility for the errors and has apologized to the commission, pledging to improve internal compliance systems to prevent future mistakes.
Fitzpatrick’s firm is well-connected within the current NSW Labor government. Before the last state election, Fitzpatrick Advisory (the firm’s previous name) donated up to the legal limit to NSW Labor and several Labor politicians. His connections are evident in social media posts showing interactions with key political figures.
Regulatory Concerns and Expert Opinions
The regulatory action against EJF Advisory has reignited discussions about the potential risks associated with former political staffers transitioning into lobbying roles. Geoffrey Watson, a board member of the Centre for Public Integrity, expressed optimism about the watchlist’s effectiveness but emphasized the need for transparency.
“We are entitled to transparency on this. The influence of lobbyists on government is one of the major concerns the public has,” Watson stated.
In 2021, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) made 29 recommendations to address deficiencies in the Logo Act, advocating for a dedicated lobbying commissioner and stricter obligations for ministers to declare interactions. However, these recommendations have yet to be implemented by the current or previous governments.
Looking Forward
The NSW government’s stance on integrity and transparency remains firm, with ministers required to adhere to all relevant laws and codes of conduct. A spokesperson for the premier reiterated the government’s commitment to these principles, directing inquiries about specific lobbyists to the commission.
At the federal level, the attorney general’s department oversees the federal lobbyist register, requiring lobbyists to review and confirm their registrations biannually. Since 2023, there have been 14 confirmed breaches of the federal code, all administrative in nature and resolved through engagement.
As the situation develops, the focus will likely remain on ensuring robust regulatory frameworks to manage the complex interactions between lobbyists and government officials, safeguarding public confidence in decision-making processes.
