BHP-Rio lobbying becomes Labored
Gavin Anderson executive chairman Ian Smith was among the prominent political lobbyists involved in the BHP-Rio deal, but he has now been joined by several lobbyists with Federal Labor connections. The lobbying field widened following the move by Chinalco and Alcoa to take a stake in Rio. Hawker Britton’s Simon Banks, who has previously served in senior positions in the offices of Kevin Rudd and two other Labor leaders, represents Chinalco in the national capital.
Meanwhile, Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroys wife Paula Benson is Alcoas lobbyist. BHP already has former ALP secretary Geoff Walsh doing its work in Canberra.
