The Assistant Treasurer, Senator The Hon. Rod Kemp, today announced that the publicly available information from the Australian Business Register (ABR) will be restricted, in response to concerns raised over public access to the register.
"We have taken on board the advice of the Tax Office and the Privacy Commissioner which will ensure the privacy of information collected from Australian Business Number (ABN) holders for the register," Senator Kemp said.
"Only some of the ABR information will be publicly available to assist people finding out if they are dealing with registered entities.
"The only information members of the public will be able to view will be: ABN; date of registration; legal and trading names; entity type (e.g. company); Australian Company Number (ACN) or ARBN, if applicable; and GST and deductible gift recipient details and dates of effect," said Senator Kemp.
This information is available:
- on the Business Entry Point web site www.business.gov.au now, or
- by telephoning the business Tax Reform Infoline on 13 24 78 (from 1 July 2000).
"Telephone numbers have never been part of the Australian Business Register at all, and will not be made public. Postal address details and e-mail addresses, while part of the Register, will also not be made available to the public.
"Similarly, in exceptional circumstances, there will also be an option for people to request that their information be suppressed from the Register, similar to what occurs with the Australian Electoral Roll, if they believe their personal safety or that of their family will be compromised.
"Bulk information will only be provided on a case by case basis to help with the implementation of the ABN in business accounting and record keeping systems.
This refers only to the information already available publicly on the internet - no further information is released.
Information on the Register has never been sold.
CANBERRA
20 June, 2000
Media contact: Richard Allsop Assistant Treasurers Office (02) 6277 7360