Why the Do Not Call Register Could Strangle Small Business

The Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) has advised the Australian Businesswomen’s Network that the Australian Communications and Media Authority is considering extending the Do Not Call register to include businesses – and has forecast a 50% take up rate of business numbers. The ADMA is concerned about the potential this has to significantly increase the competitive marketing edge larger businesses have over SMEs – while SMEs will effectively be blocked from making contact with prospective customers and clients, larger businesses will continue to be able to make telemarketing calls, under the “existing business relationships” provision. The ADMA is currently conducting a survey with respect to small businesses, which can be accessed from this link; and has also provided the following list of actions that members can take in addition to undertaking the survey:

• Write to the senate committee voicing your concerns.
• Write to Members of Parliament voicing your concerns.
• Ministers in favour of extension to business and government numbers
  • Senator Conroy
  • Senator McEwen
  • Senator Wortley
• Ministers against extension to business and government numbers
  • Senator Fisher
  • Senator Troeth
• Help ADMA fund the Access Economics survey.
  • The funding of the Access Economics survey was an expensive exercise. If you want to support ADMA send a donation to ADMA, GPO Box 3895, Sydney  NSW  2001; and indicate the money is for the Access Economics Study.
• Join ADMA.

Further information can be obtained here.