Published 13 Oct 2026
S5. Ep 18. Talking with Mike Smith about Lobbying, Government Buy In and Getting Projects Heard
Ever wondered what actually happens between having a good idea and getting government to seriously listen to it?
In this episode of The Building Talks Podcast, I sit down with Mike Smith, founder of Ethical Consulting and author of Mastering the Dark Art of Lobbying. Mike works in a space many people in construction, property and development deal with, but few really understand how to engage government effectively and build support for projects, proposals and industry initiatives.
We get into how government decisions are really made, who you need to speak to, how to find the right champions and why approaching the wrong people, or approaching them the wrong way, can stop an idea before it gets anywhere. Mike also shares his perspective on navigating policy and regulatory change, why government decisions can take so long, and some fascinating examples of lobbying that genuinely shifted the outcome of major projects.
Takeaways:
- ✅How to approach government with a project or proposal
- ✅Why getting the right people involved early matters
- ✅What government buy in actually looks like
- ✅How to identify champions for your project
- ✅Why policy and regulatory changes can reshape your strategy
- ✅What causes government decisions to move so slowly
- ✅Common mistakes that can derail an approach before it starts
- ✅How effective lobbying can influence major project outcomes
Chapters:
- 02:51 - How People Become Lobbyists
- 05:16 - What Lobbying Actually Is
- 07:03 - Preemptive Lobbying and Testing a Project Before You Commit
- 09:49 - Finding the Right People Inside Government
- 14:40 - The Positive Side of Lobbying
- 17:24 - Can Smaller Organisations Successfully Lobby Government?
- 20:02 - How a Lobbyist Approaches a New Project
- 25:24 - Why Clients Need to Tell Their Lobbyist Everything
- 29:02 - Why Lobbying Belongs in the Project Management Process
- 32:52 - Regulation Changes and When Government Relations Advice Matters Most
- 35:08 - Knowing When a Project Should Not Proceed
- 41:37 - What Makes a Good Lobbyist and Why Government Decisions Take So Long
- 45:59 - Navigating Government Timelines Without Making Things Worse
- 52:35 - Professional Persistence, Finding Champions and Getting Government Support
Tune in for a fascinating look behind the curtain at how government decisions are influenced, how projects gain support and what effective lobbying really involves.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#GovernmentRelations #Lobbying #EthicalConsulting #GovernmentEngagement #PropertyDevelopment #ConstructionIndustry #PolicyAndRegulation #MajorProjects #BuiltEnvironment #IndustryAdvocacy #ProjectStrategy #AustralianConstruction #BuildingTalksPodcast
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The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
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