[Robert Hay]

Hi Everyone

This bill was introduced to parliament yesterday:

State Debt Recovery Bill

The Bill will enable OSR to collect debt for councils, but it will be on an opt in basis.

Please read and post your views.

Robert

[James Bentley]

Hi all, administrative nightmares aside, does anyone else see a potential conflict between proposed cl 22 (preventing interest accruing after referral of a debt) and s566 LGA (prescribing that interest accrues on rates and charges that remain unpaid after they become due and payable)?
Cheers,
James

[Simone Fisher]

Hi James, I thought the same thing but looks like there will also be a couple of amendments to the LGA. Check page 59. New section 566(6).

[Jenita Ferguson]

Bellingen received the following advice from Revenue NSW in relation to referring accounts:

“The process would be that Revenue NSW will take over the entire portfolio so we would issue the initial instalment/s and continue with debt recovery action if the account remains unpaid.”

Sounds more like outsourcing a big function of the Revenue/Rate team than just referring outstanding accounts for debt recovery.

[Robert Hay]

Hi Jenita

I believe they are referring to Clause 23(1) of the Bill:

The Chief Commissioner may, if authorised to do so by a debt recovery agreement,
exercise on behalf of a responsible authority any of the functions of the responsible
authority under this Act.

Which is an alternative option a Council may consider.

Robert

[Author]

Posts