Principles for Best Practice Government Relations

Rules around lobbying vary from place to place. Always work within applicable laws and regulations.

Work ethically and with professionalism, whether regulatory frameworks are in place or not.

We are the conduit between policy-shapers and policy-makers. Our role is to educate and guide our internal stakeholders as well as external ones.

Prioritise regular and proactive outreach to external stakeholders, conducted over the long term and beyond election cycles.

A panpartisan strategy breeds authenticity and nurtures quality relationships across political divides.

Advice backed by evidence and data leads to better policy outcomes.

Always seek to understand the imperatives and motivators of others.

Using clear communication with all stakeholders helps to bring them on the journey and amplify their voices.

Unite as many groups as possible around issues and causes.

Present information in a way policy-makers can easily understand and use.

Engagement strategies should be written down, contain SMART goals and realistic targets, but provide enough flexibility to change direction if needed.

Execution is as important as the strategy. Even the best GR strategy falls over if you can’t execute.

Good GR is embedded in the business strategy.

Play the game, not the player. Avoid belittling your opponents or their concerns.