Page 2230 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 3 August 2021

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Certainly, the Greens are very happy to see the end of paper invoices as much as possible. It cuts waste. It not only makes life simpler and easier for people, but also, if we can cut out a bit of excessive sending around of documents and the like, this can only be a positive.

Certainly, e-invoicing reduces compliance and administration costs, particularly for small businesses, and I think that is a benefit for the whole community. I note and welcome the fact that Mr Cain referred in his motion to not-for-profit organisations or community organisations. They either have a lot of volunteer involvement or they want to spend their resources on the important community services that they are providing. Again, any improvement in efficiency and reduction in administration costs is very positive for those organisations.

I acknowledge the work that has already been undertaken by the ACT government to have more rapid payment administration systems and the work that is highlighted in Minister Steel’s amendment about the ACT government’s involvement in the ongoing commonwealth processes. I conclude by saying that we will be supporting the amendment moved by Minister Steel.

MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (3.56): In closing, I will speak against the amendment and in support of my motion. I appreciate that we seem to be on the same page here, as to the merits of e-invoicing. As members would be aware, most software packages actually support e-invoicing, and are waiting for suppliers and buyers to tick some boxes and make some commitments.

I am disappointed. I disagree that there is support for the intent of this motion, because the whole purpose of the motion is to ask the government to make a commitment to a time frame. That is not an unusual thing to request of a government that is reviewing any process and finding that there is value in change. But it is not saying when it will happen. This is really disappointing. The business community in the ACT, particularly the small and not-for-profit section, need a little bit more encouragement from the government that there will be something happening by a certain time.

I speak in support of my motion that the government should commit to a time to implement e-invoicing—something which it seems we are all agreed is a highly valuable change to make. Apparently, it is not important enough to commit to a time frame.

Amendment agreed to.

Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.

Justice and Community Safety—Standing Committee

Scrutiny report 7

MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (3.58): I present the following report:


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