The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia

Objective: To explore the incidence of the ‘revolving door’ phenomenon, whereby individuals move between positions in government and positions in the Australian alcohol, food and gambling industries. Methods: This exploratory study was composed of two substudies: 1) an analysis of existing Austra...

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Main Authors: Narelle M Robertson, Gary Sacks, Peter G Miller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sax Institute 2019-09-01
Series:Public Health Research & Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp2931921
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author Narelle M Robertson
Gary Sacks
Peter G Miller
author_facet Narelle M Robertson
Gary Sacks
Peter G Miller
author_sort Narelle M Robertson
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To explore the incidence of the ‘revolving door’ phenomenon, whereby individuals move between positions in government and positions in the Australian alcohol, food and gambling industries. Methods: This exploratory study was composed of two substudies: 1) an analysis of existing Australian Government Register of Lobbyists databases and related social network content; and 2) a series of 28 in-depth semistructured interviews with key informants discussing industry tactics for influencing policy, of which 15 interviewees explicitly discussed the revolving door phenomenon. Results: More than one-third of people registered on the Australian Government Register of Lobbyists were previously government representatives. We report on several examples of government employees going on to work directly for alcohol, food or gambling industries, some taking employment directly related to their previous employment in government. Key informants highlight the potential risks this poses to good governance. Conclusion: This study suggests that the revolving door that sees people move between roles in the Australian Government and alcohol, food and gambling industries is commonplace, creating a range of ethical and moral problems, and posing a risk to public health.
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spelling doaj.art-82df0eff183948cd951194689fbafa932022-12-22T01:38:19ZengSax InstitutePublic Health Research & Practice2204-20912204-20912019-09-0129310.17061/phrp2931921The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in AustraliaNarelle M Robertson0Gary Sacks1Peter G Miller2School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaSchool of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, AustraliaSchool of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, AustraliaObjective: To explore the incidence of the ‘revolving door’ phenomenon, whereby individuals move between positions in government and positions in the Australian alcohol, food and gambling industries. Methods: This exploratory study was composed of two substudies: 1) an analysis of existing Australian Government Register of Lobbyists databases and related social network content; and 2) a series of 28 in-depth semistructured interviews with key informants discussing industry tactics for influencing policy, of which 15 interviewees explicitly discussed the revolving door phenomenon. Results: More than one-third of people registered on the Australian Government Register of Lobbyists were previously government representatives. We report on several examples of government employees going on to work directly for alcohol, food or gambling industries, some taking employment directly related to their previous employment in government. Key informants highlight the potential risks this poses to good governance. Conclusion: This study suggests that the revolving door that sees people move between roles in the Australian Government and alcohol, food and gambling industries is commonplace, creating a range of ethical and moral problems, and posing a risk to public health.https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp2931921revolving doorfoodalcoholtobaccogovernment
spellingShingle Narelle M Robertson
Gary Sacks
Peter G Miller
The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
Public Health Research & Practice
revolving door
food
alcohol
tobacco
government
title The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
title_full The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
title_fullStr The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
title_full_unstemmed The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
title_short The revolving door between government and the alcohol, food and gambling industries in Australia
title_sort revolving door between government and the alcohol food and gambling industries in australia
topic revolving door
food
alcohol
tobacco
government
url https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp2931921
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