What is the difference between government relations and lobbying?

Lobbying is one activity within government relations: direct advocacy to office-holders. Government relations is the wider discipline — monitoring, strategy, stakeholder alignment, submissions and long-term relationship building. We do both, under our published Code of Conduct.

Are you registered lobbyists?

Yes. Ace Strategies is registered on both the federal and relevant state lobbyist registers, as required by Australian law, and operates in full compliance with the Australian Government's Lobbying Code of Conduct and the equivalent state and territory regulations.

Do you work outside South Australia?

Yes. Our published case work spans South Australia and Queensland alongside national defence engagements, and our team includes a former Northern Territory Minister.

Can you help with a specific piece of legislation or regulation?

That is the most common brief we receive. The earlier you engage — ideally before a bill or regulation is settled — the more options exist.

Government Relations Consultants for Complex Environments

Advocacy and engagement with local, state and federal government — from Adelaide, across Australia.

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Government Relations

Ace Strategies' government relations consultants engage government decision-makers, influencers and bureaucrats at every level — local, state and federal — advocating for your interests and helping you navigate regulatory frameworks. We are headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, and our counsel is grounded in the commercial realities of the organisations we serve.

Government relations is not access for its own sake. It is the disciplined work of understanding how a decision will actually be made, who will make it, what evidence they need, and when your case must land.

Our Approach

Guiding Principles

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Sound Public Policy

Advocate for policies that are evidence-based, practical, and serve the public interest.

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Transparency

Maintain open, honest, and accountable engagement with all stakeholders.

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Government Alignment

Ensure strategies align with current government priorities and objectives.

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Community Benefit

Focus on outcomes that deliver genuine benefits to the community and society.

Key Service Areas

What our government relations service covers

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Advocacy and representation

We make your case to the people who decide — ministers, members, advisers and departments — with arguments built on evidence and framed in the government's own policy priorities.

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Policy and legislative engagement

When legislation or regulation is costing you money or constraining your operations, we help you seek flexibility in implementation, identifying the decision points where a well-made case can still change the outcome and preparing the submissions, briefings and meetings that carry it.

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Regulatory navigation

Regulated sectors are our home ground. We work with organisations through certification, approval and the political and regulatory environment surrounding it.

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Government positioning and strategy

For councils and agencies we build the advocacy architecture itself — the plans, positioning papers and evidence base that make lobbying and planning effective rather than opportunistic.

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Political and policy monitoring

We track the policy, personnel and political shifts that affect your interests, informed by our own published polling with DemosAU.

Our Expertise

Government Relations Excellence

We have a deep understanding of government environments, processes and protocols. Our team specialises in representing, promoting, and protecting your interests when dealing with government and the public service.

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Government Insight

Deep understanding of government environments, processes and protocols.

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Strategic Access

Established relationships across government and public service that create access.

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Proven Results

A track record of achieving positive outcomes in complex government environments.

Ace Strategies is powered by Advoc8—APAC's leading government relations platform.

Our insights are enhanced through the reliable research and data of DemosAU.

Compliance and conduct

Ace Strategies is registered on both the federal and relevant state lobbyist registers, as required by Australian law. We operate in full compliance with the Australian Government's Lobbying Code of Conduct and the equivalent state and territory regulations, maintain a conflicts register and uphold client confidentiality at all times. Our complete Code of Conduct is published on this site.

Read our Code of Conduct

Proof

Our advocacy helped Adelaide City Football Club secure a $6 million State Government commitment. For Whitsunday Regional Council we delivered a Defence and Advanced Manufacturing Strategic Positioning Paper defining an evidence-based economic diversification role for the region.

It is a pleasure to engage with Ace Strategies. Their strong and trusted relationships in Canberra, as well as across state and territory governments, coupled with their ability to align political policy with strategic corporate solutions, have helped to fast-track our business aspirations.

James Murray — Chief Executive Officer, Mood State Medical
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Ace Strategies helped us to strengthen our relationship with the South Australian Government and raise awareness of our health sector solutions.

Andrew Parnell — Executive General Manager, Aspen Medical
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The Advocacy, Communication and Engagement plan has helped Council to prioritise and be effective with our lobbying and planning — they really delivered.

Chief Executive Officer — The Flinders Ranges Council
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Common questions

What is the difference between government relations and lobbying?: Lobbying is one activity within government relations: direct advocacy to office-holders. Government relations is the wider discipline — monitoring, strategy, stakeholder alignment, submissions and long-term relationship building. We do both, under our published Code of Conduct.
Are you registered lobbyists?: Yes. Ace Strategies is registered on both the federal and relevant state lobbyist registers, as required by Australian law, and operates in full compliance with the Australian Government's Lobbying Code of Conduct and the equivalent state and territory regulations.
Do you work outside South Australia?: Yes. Our published case work spans South Australia and Queensland alongside national defence engagements, and our team includes a former Northern Territory Minister.
Can you help with a specific piece of legislation or regulation?: That is the most common brief we receive. The earlier you engage — ideally before a bill or regulation is settled — the more options exist.

Related insights

Our published analysis on this work.

op-ed It's time – Liberals at the crossroad opinion The Centre Cannot Hold — Opinion opinion Future Workplaces That Build the Value of Living

18 published case studies Adelaide-based, working nationally

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One session. We map which decisions, decision-makers and timeframes matter to your organisation, and where your case is strongest.

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Government Relations Consultants for Complex Environments