John Menadue, a former Qantas chief executive who also worked as Gough Whitlam's private secretary, says Australia's "whole regime on lobbyists needs major review and strengthening".

"My own strong view is that we have a quite-massive corruption of public life and public policy in Australia through vested interests," Mr Menadue told Fairfax Media.

Fairfax Media revealed on Saturday that Indian mining company Adani has hired several staffers, lobbyists and consultants with strong ties to the Labor, Liberal and National parties to argue the benefits of its proposed Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland.

They include lobbyists David Moore, who was chief of staff to former Queensland deputy premier Jeff Seeney when he was opposition leader, and Cameron Milner, a former Queensland Labor Party secretary.

Mr Moore and Mr Milner said they made no apologies for supporting a project that would bring "vital investment into Australia", and there is no suggestion they have done anything improper.

The new Queensland Labor government is backing the coal mine, despite confidential Treasury documents revealing senior officials had deemed it unbankable.

Mr Menadue, a long-time critic of Australia's lobbying laws and the revolving door between industry and politics, said there was "close relationship between the mining industry and political parties" that needed greater scrutiny.

"A major reason for the lack of trust Australians have in governments these days is because of just these sorts of problems," he said.

"We need regular minutes and records within 10 days of discussions lobbyists have with ministers and senior officials, and that record should explicitly say what has been discussed.

"Whether it's done over coffee or a beer – we need to know what is discussed. It will put serious focus on what these lobbyists are doing in Australia to pervert democracy today."

An Adani spokeswoman repeated earlier statements that the company had worked positively with five governments of various political persuasions during the past five years.

"Any contact in relation to Adani projects with government ministers or officials stringently adheres to the relevant laws and requirements," she said.

Mr Menadue, like the Greens, also believes there should be a five-year cooling off before former senior officials and ministers can take roles in industry that have links to their previous job in government.

"I think it is a major problem that has to be addressed," he said.