The Turnbull Government today has commenced consultation on ways to modernise business registers to make it simpler for business to get on with business.
The Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said the consultation, which is part of the National Business Simplification Initiative (NBSI), is designed to streamline and simplify how business interacts with all levels of government.
“We want to help businesses to focus on doing business, to save time and money and to minimise complicated government processes and regulations at all levels of government,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
“This is about making it simpler to do business and helping existing businesses to grow.”
“Modernising business registers will remove barriers to new business creation, which will create more jobs for Australians.”
“Improving conditions for business is an important platform in the government’s efforts to support a strong, robust economy, growth in productivity and more jobs.”
Minister O’Dwyer said the consultation team would also work closely with the Black Economy Taskforce, which is developing recommendations on ways to strengthen the integrity of the Australian Business Number (ABN) system. Minister O’Dwyer released a consultation paper by the Taskforce on 2 August which canvasses ideas on this issue and other possible black economy reforms.
The Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Hon Craig Laundy MP, said the Government must remove unnecessary regulation.
“Duplication across federal, state and local government is hampering business, we must remove the barriers and make doing business simpler,” Assistant Minister Laundy said.
“Not only will we remove burdensome red tape but we will improve access to government information and services by giving business simple, streamlined service delivery.”
In partnership with the Digital Transformation Agency, a team of staff from five agencies is currently conducting user research into business registers to inform the development and testing of future prototypes.
The Government is encouraging stakeholders to provide their views on all aspects of the operation of business registries including the user experience, opportunities to deliver improved business services, open data, accessibility, technology, governance and legislation.
A modern approach to business registration will improve registry services, reduce complexity for business and enable better access to registry data in line with the Government’s open data policy to facilitate greater use and innovation.
The discussion paper is available now on the Treasury website.