Schedule 6
Australian Business Register
Background
7.1
Schedule 6 relates to the government's Standard Business Reporting Program,
a multi-agency initiative aimed at simplifying business-to-government
reporting. Government agencies participating in the program include the
Treasury, Australian Bureau of Statistics, APRA, Australian Securities and Investments
Commission, Australian Taxation Office and all state and territory government
revenue offices.[1]
The programme is estimated to be available to businesses from 1 July 2010
provided a number of key dependencies such as information technology are in
place.[2]
7.2
The Australian Business Register (ABR) was established to reduce
administrative costs for small business by 'limiting the number of times a
business would be asked for similar information by different [government] agencies'.[3]
However, currently online communication with various government agencies
requires businesses to undergo multiple identity establishment processes.[4]
7.3
Businesses register with the ABR to be able to identify themselves
reliably in their dealings with government departments.[5]
However, due to there being 'no provision to enable the Registrar to update'
business details either from publicly available information or from its own
resources. it is difficult for the Registrar to achieve and maintain an
accurate register.[6]
7.4
Despite these problems, because of the ABR's capacity to 'establish the
identity of a business person based on their tax file number' and link a person
to a business, it is perceived to be in a position to facilitate
business-to-government online interaction.[7]
Purpose
7.5
The proposed amendments introduce a new measure. Part 1 of the schedule
amends the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 to
'improve the integrity and efficiency of the ABR'.[8]
These include the right to use the approved form provisions for a range of
purposes, including provision of certain information, notification of changes
and cancellation of an Australian Business Number. The Registrar would also be
able to update details on the ABR.[9]
7.6
Part 2 of the schedule provides for the Registrar to act as the
Multi-agency Registration Authority to facilitate electronic dealings by
businesses, and for the Registrar to 'create and maintain a register of
representatives of businesses' for this purpose. Enterprises are able to
nominate individuals to be registered as their representatives. The legislation
contains provisions for appeal rights against the Registrar's decisions. [10]
7.7
The proposed legislation makes consequential amendments to two other tax
Acts clarifying the existing law: Product Grants and Benefits Administration
Act 2000 and Taxation Administration Act 1953.
Financial impact
7.8
Nil. Compliance cost impact is minimal and 'far outweighed by the
substantial reduction in costs that benefit businesses in their reporting to
governments'.[11]
Committee view
7.9
The committee supports the idea to streamline the interaction between
the private sector and the government and considers that the Registrar of the
ABR is in a position to take on these added responsibilities.
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