Government abandons plan for Do Not Call Register for business numbers

The announcement of the Government's backflip was made on Friday and largely lost in the hype surrounding the release of the Henry Tax Review.

Conroy's decision was contained in a press release trumpeting the decision to extend the period for which households can register on the DNCR from the current level of three years to a proposed period of five years.

"To facilitate the quick passage of these amendments, the Government will not proceed with the proposal to extend the Register to include business numbers in the current legislation," it said in a statement.

"Stakeholders, including the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, raised concerns that the inclusion of business numbers would impede legitimate business communications."

The news is a huge victory for Rob Edwards, chief executive of the Australian Direct Marketing Association, who had warned compliance costs associated with the extension of the register would be as high as $71-$108 million in the first year of operation, and then $47-$87 million in each subsequent year.

"I think it took some doing but at the end of the day the Government has seen sense in this and seen the damage it would have had on business," Edwards told SmartCompany this morning.

"The key was really getting the Council of Small Business of Australia involved. They have done a terrific job."

"Now business can get back to doing what they are supposed to be doing."

While Conroy said in a statement that the Government "is keeping an open mind on this issue and intends to do further research and consultation with stakeholders", Edwards feels the battle is won.

Radisich welcomed Conroy's decision.

"Given that 95% of Australian businesses are small, it makes sense that they should be allowed to freely interact with each other, and with big business, to promote their goods and services without being hindered by excessive regulation," she said in statement.

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written by devilsman60, May 03, 2010

So how do we stop these pain in the butt unsolicited calls? Maybe lets treat them as they treat us. Get their phone number and call them at inconvenient times. We're trying to do our work and business, so stop spam calling, faxing and emailing us.

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written by christo, May 03, 2010

So this is a victory for COSBOA and ADMA - yes, Edwards got his name in the paper (big man!). This all conveniently ignores the fact that Edwards missed the boat - a deal was already in place with the opposition to kill the bill and it would have been dead in the water in March. But no, COSBOA and ADMA who represent about 1% of businesses want to big note themselves so they do a deal that is much, much worse with "the man who knew nothing" Conroy.

If you want an association that will suck up to the Feds and give half of your rights away in stupid legislation then ADMA and COSBOA are right for you.

Had those two "unrepresentative swill" just shut up and left things to the real small businesses of this world there would have been no Bill at all. Who got the Bill to go to a committee? Not ADMA nor COSBOA, it was grassroots action.

Any small businesses out there who are members of ADMA and COSBOA no doubt think that their membership fees have been well spent. Wait until you start reaping the unintended consequences of the Bill. Have you all read the explanatory memorandum?

And you, devilsman60 - how do you advertise? Let me know and I'll get Conroy to ban it. That should help your sales. From the sound of it you sell blinkers.

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written by annoyedbydirectmarketing, May 03, 2010

Hey Christo, I'm selling stuff. You probably don't want it or need it or even care about it but please leave your phone and fax number so I can persistently call and fax you and waste your valuable time. Even after you tell me not to I will continue to call you until you have to ring me up and abuse me. Then I'll get the message and my poor telemarketing staffmember will go home in tears because of your foul temper.

You need to wake up to yourself and realise there is strong resistance to direct marketing.

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written by christo, May 04, 2010

No problem old chum - we're in the book. I just might find out that you're offering a better service or price than my current suppliers, or even find a better way of doing business. We're all ears!