Henry Belot

Monique Ryan quits parliament’s sports club over gambling lobby links, describing it as ‘influence by stealth’

Crossbench MP Monique Ryan has quit federal parliament’s sports club hours after it was listed as an official lobbyist group with clients in the gambling, alcohol and fossil fuel industries.

The Australian Parliament Sports Club was registered on the government’s lobbyist register on Monday, days after Guardian Australia reported concerns about its sponsorship from groups lobbying the government on policy.

The club allows companies to pay an annual membership fee in return for access to multiple social and formal events, which are regularly attended by federal politicians. Previously the company run by the club’s chief executive, Sports Hydrant, was listed on the lobbyist register.

The club has rejected claims its games are anything other than a chance for politicians and staff to relax and exercise and insist all rules have been followed. But Ryan said it provided its corporate members a chance to build “influence by stealth”:

To paraphrase Groucho Marx, I’m not signing up for any parliamentary sports club which serves up gambling industry lobbying with its early morning basketball games. I’m resigning from the club today.

The club’s registration has also drawn criticism from crossbench MPs Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, Kate Chaney, David Pocock and Helen Haines, who pointed out the prime minister’s position as the club’s chair.

While Australians wait for the government to take serious action on gambling harm, the Australian Parliamentary Sports Club – chaired by the prime minister himself – is acting on behalf of clients that include the gambling industry.

Last week, the club said it does not lobby on behalf of any of its corporate members. The prime minister’s office has previously been contacted for comment.