Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The Government has begun the indicative bid phase to test the market on the ability of a private sector operator to upgrade, operate and add value to the registry functions of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC Registry).

This is the next step in the tender process and follows a successful expression of interest phase where a strong level of interest was shown from a broad range of businesses to operate and improve the ASIC Registry.

There is an active and growing private sector market for operating sophisticated data services, potentially delivering improved accessibility, efficiency and functionality of the ASIC Registry.

In considering a private operator, the Government will also take into account its strong preference for the ASIC Registry to maintain its existing operations in Traralgon and the Latrobe Valley area more broadly.

The Commonwealth will retain ownership of the ASIC Registry’s data.

Indicative bids are now open and are due by 4 pm, Sydney (Australia) time, 23 February 2016.

The Government will make a decision on any further steps, following the evaluation of the indicative bids.

Further information is available on the Department of Finance website: http://www.finance.gov.au/