An extension of the Do Not Call Register to include all Australian businesses’ phone and fax numbers will place a significant financial strain on Australia’s small businesses according to new research* released this week.
The study commissioned by business search directory, Truelocal.com.au in partnership with the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA), revealed 78% of small businesses do not have the resources to manage the proposed Government changes to the Do Not Call Register.
The Federal Government has introduced legislation to extend the Do Not call Register Act to allow all phone and fax numbers to be included on the Do Not call Register including those used by small businesses. Political parties are exempt from compliance with the Act.
The survey of 78I small businesses revealed that many small businesses were unaware of the legislation with over half of respondents saying they were unaware of Government’s proposed extension to the Do Not call Register.
If the proposed legislation is passed, small businesses will not be able to call a business to promote, advertise, or propose to supply goods, services, land, business opportunities or investment opportunities if the number is on the Do Not Call Register and where there is no prior consent or an ongoing relationship.
Any business that fails to comply with the legislation and calls a business listed on the Do Not call Register could face a fine of up to $1.1 million for each breach of the legislation.
According to Truelocal and the COSBOA, the property, business services, communication, marketing and media industries will all be heavily impacted by this proposed legislative change as using the telephone to source new
business is their preferred marketing method.
Opinion is heavily divided amongst Australian small businesses about registering with the Do Not Call Register. But it is estimated that 3O% of organisations could be listed on the Do Not Call Register.
Both TrueLocal and the Council of Small Business of Australia have made submissions to the Senate Standing committee’s inquiry into the Do Not Call Register Legislation Amendment Bill 2009. The committee is due to release its findings on February 24, 2010.
For more information about the Do Not Call Register visit the website www.donotcall.gov.au
* The survey of 781 small businesses was conducted by research company Core Data from November 17 -24 2009.