A report by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission suggests the risk of corruption had "intensified" inside the state government, amid a surge in lobbying.
It found a small number of key groups and individuals appeared to have a "disproportionate amount of access" to the government and could be using those relationships to "influence government decision."
"In some instances, the individuals or groups afforded access have long-standing and close political or personal connections with the decision-makers or government they are seeking to influence," the report, published on Friday, said.
"Further, in some circumstances these individuals have been engaged by a political party or government agency while still involved in influencing practices, such as lobbying."
Meanwhile, the report, Influencing Practices in Queensland, also found there had been "a substantial increase" in lobbying activities in the state.
"The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated economic recovery efforts, appear to have contributed to the recent surge in lobbying activities in Queensland," the report said.
The report also revealed that 14 per cent of public service employees had seen or suspected there to be pressure by the private sector on department employees.
While 11 per cent had seen or suspected there to be pressure from the private sector on elected officials.
The report also stated how, in recent investigations, it found individuals or groups to have groomed or developed relationships with key people to exert influence over government decisions.
In an audit in 2021, the CCC identified 103 discrepancies between the records held by public authorities and contacts listed on the Lobbyist Contact Register in Queensland.
It also acknowledged that a relationship between lobbyist and elected official was not necessarily an indicator or cause of corruption.
However, it was noted that it could cause a conflict of interest and increase the risk or perception "of favouritism or undue influence".
Possibly public hearings
The CCC aims to examine the extent to which contact between lobbyists and government and opposition representatives are has been accurately recorded by public authorities.
"The audit will involve examining the records of a sample of public authorities, including state government departments and local councils, as well as members of parliament and ministerial offices," the report said.
It said the audit would allow it to proactively assess and identify any activity or associations that might put the public interest at risk.
The CCC suggested in the report that it could conduct a public hearing if one were warranted.
Olympics bring heightened risk
The CCC said the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games carried "a heightened risk of improper influence".
"In Queensland, the government has already commenced planning and recruitment for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games," the report said.
"As high-profile projects and developments are announced, there will be increasing demand for positions and contracts."
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the Games were not about "special favours, for special mates."
"We want to make sure that the delivery of infrastructure is done on time and on budget, that the best contractor gets the job the most worthy, not those with the most influence," he said.
He said overall the report was a "deeply troubling development" in the Queensland integrity crisis.
"It shows a culture that is rotting through the state government, a culture where lobbyists have unfettered control, unfettered access, and where it is all about the inner workings of the political process, not how we can serve Queenslanders," Mr Crisafulli said,
"There is no doubt that the level of influence from Labor lobbyists in Queensland is at frightening levels.
"Unless we have a full-blown royal commission into the way that government runs in Queensland, we will continue to see the murky relationship."
