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THE Brumby Government is preparing to introduce a lobbyist register as pressure intensifies around the ALP over mates, money and influence.

For some weeks a group of advisers and bureaucrats known as the accountability committee has been working on a package of measures including codes of conduct for MPs and bureaucrats.

But well-placed sources say a lobbyist register is now the committee’s priority amid growing public disquiet both in Victoria and interstate about the role of lobbyists, and companies buying access to government.

The committee is expected to finalise a recommendation on the register this week and an announcement is likely soon after.

Government insiders say an announcement is likely to be co-ordinated with the Rann Government in South Australia.

The Federal Government along with Western Australia and NSW have already introduced registers. Former premier Steve Bracks had promised to establish a register in the lead-up to the 2006 election.

Premier John Brumby has since avoided full commitment to the idea but has repeatedly said it was under consideration.

The Best And Worst Stuff From Microsoft’s Build 2016 Keynote

Microsoft just wrapped its big software keynote for Build 2016, and we saw lots of new stuff. New Windows updates, new software for Xbox, and a ton bots. But not everything was a winner — in fact, some of the biggest disappointments were what was completely ignored. Here’s the best and worst stuff from Microsoft’s opening keynote.

Best: Microsoft’s Anniversary update is available this winter

Microsoft’s official one-year anniversary is July 29, and Microsoft will be releasing an Anniversary update, free for all Windows 10 users.

In the update will be a new Windows Ink platform that will persuade you to use that Surface Pen, or whatever pen you have, more prolifically throughout Windows. Where pen applications usually remained within certain apps, like OneNote, Windows 10 now has a new sketchpad and sticky note applications. They have also made adding these pen tools to apps easy with only two lines of code.

Microsoft is also adding a new Ink Workspace when you double click the Surface Pen. This is great news for anyone that owns a Surface.

In addition to some Windows Ink updates, Cortana and the notification center will be new and improved. On the developer side of things, the Bash shell will be available in the Windows store, not as a virtual machine but as a part of Windows 10. Great news for Linux fans.

Worst: Microsoft almost completely ignored Windows phone

Apps on Xbox! New and improved Surface pen features! Bots, bots, bots! Surface phone … [*crickets*].

Earlier in the keynote, Kevin Gallo mentioned new code that can help port Windows universal apps into either iOS or Android. One presenter picked up a Windows phone to demo Skype and other bot integrations in Microsoft services — and that’s it.

No conversations about updates for Windows phone, where the platform is heading, or if any of us should really care about it any more. Considering Microsoft’s universal platform was such a huge focus, it’s weird that probably the biggest piece of that puzzle — your smartphone — is still missing in a big way. It’s been said before, but Windows phone is more dead than ever.

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