COSBOA attempts to negotiate deal on extension of Do Not Call Register for business

The Council of Small Business of Australia will attempt to broker a compromise on the controversial extension of the Do Not Call Register to businesses, with a proposal that the Register is extended to business fax numbers but not business phone numbers.

COSBOA chief Jaye Radisich, who is concerned that the extension of the DNCR will lead to an increase in red tape and reduce SMEs ability to generate business leads, will meet with representatives from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy tomorrow. She hopes to find a compromise that will work for all parties.

“The Government has shown a willingness to listen to our concerns and we’re trying to work collaboratively with them,” she says.

“I think there is broad acceptance that some of the consequences are unintended for small business.”

Efforts by COSBOA and the Australian Direct Marketing Association to battle against the extension of the Do Not Call Register to business phone and fax numbers come just a week after a Senate inquiry supporting the Government’s move.

ADMA chief executive Rob Edwards, whose industry group represents the telemarketing sector and has estimated the extension of the DNCR could cost companies up to $108 million in the first year, says he was disappointed but not surprised by the findings of the Senate inquiry.

This week Edwards will travel to Canberra to meet with Opposition Small Business spokesperson Bruce Billson and he says he will also request meetings with independent senators Nick Xenophon and Steve Fielding, who are likely to hold the key to laws passing the Senate.

“The solution that the Government has come up is with is like trying to crack a walnut with a sledge hammer,” Edwards says.

“I think business is finally starting to wake up to the fact that this is a big issue.”

Edwards and other lobbyists may have won a bit more time to push their claims.

Edwards says the DNCR bill was scheduled to come before the House of Representatives on March 11, but has not been removed from the agenda.

It could be put back on the agenda at the next Parliamentary sitting in May, but this sitting is traditionally taken up by Federal Budget matters.

Radisich welcomed news of the delay.

“That’s a sign that the Government is willing to consider some changes. That’s to their credit.”