“The substantive obligations in the National Credit Code do not apply to small business credit contracts and to small business consumer leases. Other than the unjust contract provisions, these provisions also do not apply to investment credit contracts.”

The spokesperson declined to comment on whether the proposed legislation will make it tougher for small businesses to obtain credit.

CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair, Graham Doessel says the proposed changes would be widely criticised by small business advocates as stifling the flow of business credit in Australia and that the changes are unnecessary form of “hand holding” for Australian business owners.

“Australian small businesses are already doing it tough getting credit out there post GFC – this is going to mean they will struggle even further to expand and there will be less start-ups,” Mr Doessel says.

But he does say any changes to credit reporting for small businesses would be welcomed.

“There is a gaping hole in the basic rights afforded to commercial credit file holders before recovery is commenced, and this needs to be dealt with,” he says.

In the consumer landscape, if an account is overdue, then the account holder is afforded a 30 day right to remedy under the Credit Reporting Code of Conduct. This is meant to ensure that fair and reasonable means have been taken to attempt to recover the outstanding amount before further action is taken, and before the consumer’s credit file is defaulted.

As commercial credit is not covered under the Code, this right is currently not provided to commercial credit file holders – and Mr Doessel says many times small business owners have been caught out.

“The common courtesies which consumers are afforded and which many assume stay with them in the commercial sphere just don’t apply – many don’t realise just how big a risk commercial credit is.”

“It’s like the ‘wild, wild west’ out there with some lenders defaulting small businesses with little to no warning,” he says.

Once a default is placed on a commercial credit file, then the length of time it remains on the credit file is legislated by the Privacy Act 1988.

“A commercial credit file holder is still subject to 5 years of bad credit if they end up with a default listing, the ramifications are still the same – they are generally refused mainstream credit, refused mobile phone plans, car finance and credit cards – but the rules for how the default gets there in the first place are just not there,” Mr Doessel says.

“In theory, you can be one or two days late in paying a commercial account and you can have your ability to obtain credit ruined. There is no right of redress, as there is no legislation governing notification requirements in the commercial credit sphere.”

Mr Doessel says the Government has completely missed the mark on what small businesses need to thrive and survive.

“Most don’t need restrictions on available credit, they just need the basic credit reporting rights that they deserve,” he says.

/ENDS.

Please contact:

Graham Doessel – Director Ph: 3124 7133

Lisa Brewster – Media Relations media@mycra.com.au

Ph 07 3124 7133 www.mycra.com.au www.mycra.com.au/blog 246 Stafford Rd, STAFFORD Qld

MyCRA Credit Repair is Australia’s number one in credit rating repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

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