https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-03/lobbyist-pass-sponsors-revealed-ruston-gambling/107339570

Shadow health minister sponsoring access for gambling group boss Kai Cantwell, her former chief of staff

Ministers are sponsoring passes to lobbyists seeking to influence them directly, with Labor and Liberal MPs also providing access to gambling lobbyists, according to the first disclosures of who has direct access to politicians at Parliament House.

For the first time the public has been able to see which federal politicians are providing access for lobbyists to parliament, following a decision by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to tighten access and disclosure rules earlier this year.

Among the first tranche of disclosures are two passes for gambling lobby group Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents bet365, Sportsbet, Betfair and others, and has been co-sponsored by Labor and Liberal MPs.

Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston is the primary sponsor for Responsible Wagering Australia’s chief executive Kai Cantwell, while Labor senator Raff Ciccone sponsors its other pass, with Senator Ruston also a secondary sponsor.