Lobbying refers to the practice of individuals or organisations seeking to influence the decisions, policies, or actions of government ministers, parliamentarians, and senior public officials. A lobbyist is a person paid to conduct this activity on behalf of a client — which may be a corporation, industry body, union, non-government organisation, or other interest group. Lobbying is a legal and recognised part of the democratic process in Australia, providing a mechanism through which diverse interests can engage with government decision-makers. However, due to concerns about undue influence and the potential for conflicts of interest, lobbying activity at the federal level is regulated through the Australian Government Lobbyist Register, maintained by the Department of Finance. Third-party lobbyists — those paid to represent the interests of others — are required to register and disclose their clients. Registered lobbyists must comply with a Lobbying Code of Conduct, which includes prohibitions on former ministers and senior officials engaging in lobbying activity in their former portfolio areas for a set period after leaving office — commonly referred to as a "cooling-off period." Most Australian states and territories operate similar registers and codes. The regulation of lobbying is an ongoing area of public interest, with transparency advocates frequently calling for stronger disclosure requirements and longer cooling-off periods.