Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

The Government is now taking the final step in testing the market for private sector interest to upgrade, operate and add value to the registry functions of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC Registry).

After a successful indicative bid phase where six indicative bids were received from a broad range of private sector bidders, the final bid phase will now commence.

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.

The Government is pleased with the proposed commitments received during the indicative bid phase around maintaining the ASIC Registry’s existing operations in Traralgon and the Latrobe Valley area. We will remain focussed on this as the final bid phase moves forward.

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

Final bids are due by 4.00 pm, Sydney (Australia) time, 29 August 2016.

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

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