It is hard to believe that it is June already. What happened to April and May!! The team at Corporate Express is ready to assist you with all of your end-of-financial year needs.

ASIC Business Advisory Committee

On 6 May Robert Zitek represented Corporate Express at the bi-annual ASIC Business Advisory Committee ('BAC').

You may be interested in the following matters which were on the agenda and discussed at the meeting.

• ASIC to pursue amnesty suggestion

  As part of ASIC's strategic review and technology upgrade, ASIC is considering the implementation of an amnesty period to make changes to AISC's registers without late fees to encourage changes and registry integrity. This amnesty was suggested by the BAC in October 2008. Should ASIC wish to adopt this strategy it must approach the Government for an amendment to the Corporations (Review Fees) Regulations 2003 which would be required to give it legislative effect. We will provide you with updates as and when they are to hand.

• The National Business Names Project

  ASIC is seeking BAC's comments on key client considerations for ASIC in designing a national business names service.

  There are approximately 1.6 million business names registered across the states and territories of Australia. Each state and territory has a unique registration process and only Victoria offers an on-line service.

  The aim of the Australian Business Number/Business Names project is to develop a single online client service for registration of both an ABN and a National business name.

  This ambitious project has now received the endorsement of COAG and March 2011 has been nominated as the implementation date.

  If you have any comments or suggestions please contact Robert on 1300 CORPEX or (02) 9261 2100

• National regulation of Consumer Credit

  Though the precise timing and scope of the reforms are still being developed, it is proposed that ASIC will have responsibility for the administration of the national consumer credit regime which will include consumer credit lending and finance broking.

  At this stage it is proposed that the changes will take effect from November 2009.

  BAC has been invited to provide feedback on the potential impacts of the reforms from its constituencies and on how ASIC can facilitate the transition successfully.

  Your comments and suggestions can be directed to ASIC Credit Taskforce by contacting Robert on 1300 CORPEX or (02)9261 2100

Corporate Express Client Benefit Program

In our last issue we introduced our first client benefit program which has been made possible by our long term relationship with HWL Ebsworth who provide and update our discretionary and unit trusts.

Some of our clients have already used the program so don't forget that Corporate Express can now offer you

• 15 minutes of free legal advice
• Free legal checklists

15 minutes of free legal advice

As a client of Corporate Express you are now able to have up to 15 minutes free legal advice from a solicitor over the telephone. Should you wish to instruct TressCox after this initial free consultation you will be responsible for the ongoing legal fees.

Please contact Robert on 1300 CORPEX to access this free consultation.

Free legal checklists

HWL Ebsworth have developed a series of 30 checklists which cover the following areas:

• Trusts
• Wills & Estate Planning
• Powers of Attorney
• Tax Corporate & Commercial Law

The checklists come with step by step instructions.

You can now assist your clients in preparation of the legal documents they need as well as offering to them a 10% discount on the standard fee charged by HWL Ebsworth in relation to these documents.

To access the index, the checklists and the special fees simply log onto our website at www.corporateexpress.com.au, and from the Client Main Menu click on HWL Ebsworth Legal Checklists.

Update on the Second Tranche of the AML/CTF Act

CBIA Inc has received correspondence from The Hon Bob Debus in response to its concerns relating to the proposed second tranche of the AML/CTF Act.

CBIA Inc is the peak representative body for company incorporators and has been active in Government consultations to help shape the proposed reforms.

It appears that the agenda for the implementation of the second tranche has been further delayed to take into account the challenges faced by Australian businesses by the current global economic downturn.

The Government now proposes to reconsider the implementation process in December 2009.

Click here to view this correspondence

Team CE on the march to 'Cure Our Kids'

The CE team, represented by Robert, Cathy, Amanda and Judi will be participating in this year's City to Surf.

You can support this great charity by either joining our team or sponsoring us. Our goal is to raise $1000. Every $ helps, so please get on line and help us along. We can assure you we will be feeling every step of the way! All donations are tax deductible. Click below to donate.

Team Corporate Express

Disclaimer

The information provided in this document is for your general information only. It is not intended that anyone adopt this information to their personal circumstances without first seeking professional advice.

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