Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy, Senator Hume. Can the minister outline to the Senate how the government's director ID program is making it easier for a small business to engage with government as we reopen the economy?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bragg for his question. Businesses large and small are at their most productive and competitive when they spend less time on paperwork and more time focused on what they do best. That's why the Morrison government's Modernising Business Registers program will deliver a single entry point to streamline how businesses register, view and maintain information with the government. This new, fast and easy-to-use platform, announced as part of the Morrison government's Digital Business Plan, will bring together more than 30 ASIC registers and the Australian Business Register onto a new modern system at the ATO.

A major component of this program is the establishment of director IDs. As of 1 November this year, Australia's 2.7 million company directors can quickly and easily apply for their new director ID online using the Australian Business Registry Services website. This unique 15-digit identifier takes only minutes to apply for but it will stay with a director for life, even as they move between roles and businesses, and even different countries. In a world of increasing identity theft and cybersecurity threats, director IDs offer far greater identity security than is currently available. More importantly, director IDs will help to level the playing field for honest businesses. They will prevent the use of fictitious directors, help regulators chase directors' relationships with companies over time and better identify director involvement in unlawful activities such as illegal phoenix activity.

To apply for a director ID, directors can very simply log on to the Australian Business Register Service online using the myGov ID app. It's free to apply and available to directors within Australia and overseas. Applications can be made by phone or by paper, for those who need it, but the online application form takes only minutes to complete and their director ID is issued instantly.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bragg, a supplementary question?

Honourable senators interjecting—

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can't hear you with the masks on. It's hard to hear the interjections.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Interjections are always disorderly, Senator Bragg!

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, there you go.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Silence on my left!

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What a tremendous time!

Honourable senators interjecting—

I can't hear that either, sorry.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator O'Neill!

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Very good, that's a good zinger!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Well done. I can't hear that either.

A government senator: Send us an email!

Honourable senators interjecting—

Isn't this your time?

I've got enough time to read the question, so it'll be okay; don't worry. Thank you, Mr President. Can the minister detail to the Senate the uptake of director IDs to date?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

tor HUME (—) (): Since 1 November this year, in just the first two weeks of the rollout, we've seen more than 70,000 director IDs issued, and 96 per cent of director ID applications have been digital. The Australian Business Registry Services website has had over 500,000 unique page views since the beginning of November alone. These are extraordinary figures, especially given the rollout is still in its public beta phase. They're a testament to industry and the community's support for this particularly important program. With 96 per cent of applications made digitally and online, it highlights business's support for this government's efforts to improve the efficiency of registry service transactions in online settings. Indeed, while the opposition will talk about illegal phoenix activity, only the coalition government will actually address it.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bragg, a second supplementary question?

Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister advise the Senate which stakeholders have said what about the measure and how it will help secure the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian business community has wholeheartedly supported and embraced the director ID program as part of the Morrison government's commitment to cutting red tape for business. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the consolidation of business registers will simplify businesses' interactions with government and reduce duplication. Businesses need only tell government once. Similarly, the Australian Institute of Company Directors recognised the program's value as a flexible and technology-neutral modern business registry regime, and its potential to stop criminal behaviour and illegal phoenix activity. Director ID is just one of the many business focused solutions that the Morrison government is implementing to make doing business easier, fairer, faster and safer. It's part of Australia's commitment to being a leading digital economy and society by 2030.