Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Bankruptcy in Darwin - Changes that help Small Business and Entrepreneurs

5th February 2016 - By Charles Bosse

Do you have knowledge of how much Bankruptcy in Darwin is changing? The Australian Government in late 2015 submitted some innate changes to the Bankruptcy Laws in Australia. One of the most significant of these is the length of time that a person is bankrupt for. Now, there is a minimum amount of time that you must continue to be bankrupt, having said that, this 3 year period may very well be reduced to just 12 months. So if you are inquiring about Bankruptcy, this news may be considerably important to you.



Mark Carnegie in the Financial Review on the 7th December 2015 suggested that "the proposed changes to ease the burden of bankruptcy laws didn't go far enough and the government should adopt US-style laws to protect the family home".

These adjustments to the issue of Bankruptcy will take 18 months to implement. Mr Carnegie, went on to say in the Financial Review that safeguarding family assets was very important because "banks just terrorise small business and the mental health consequences to society are enormous".

The problem is Australia's bankruptcy laws put off investors from supporting start-ups, and therefore mentoring had been "driven out of the system".

"They naturally find it very intimidating themselves personally and with their assets at risk in a risky early-stage deal, but with their own money in the deal and a lightened-up provision I think we 'd probably see more willingness. It could be more important than the money.".

Fraudulent Behavior.

The debate about this Bankruptcy issue in Darwin that some make is that this change will only reinforce fraudulent behavior opening pandora's box so to speak for the unscrupulous to maltreatment of the bankruptcy system. We have taken a look at the minimum, but on the other side of the issue, The government is not recommending to change the maximum term of 8 years if it deems a bankrupt has appeared in an unethical or fraudulent way, and there are no suggestions to change the penalties of misrepresenting yourself or financial position when filing for bankruptcy in Australia.

As an insolvency professional in Darwin, I have a decent share of experience when it concerns Bankruptcy. And having dealt with countless bankruptcy cases in Darwin I have never caught someone abusing the system or acting in a reckless way as to exploit the insolvency laws in Australia. When it comes to Bankruptcy, every week I help a small business owner or entrepreneur look at the very formidable task of bankruptcy, not once have I really felt they are happy about it. The typical small business owner or entrepreneur in Darwin does not start out taking enormous financial risks with the intention to fail. The media prefers citing the apparent abuse that will be rampant if these changes occur, what a joke!

A Win for Small Business.

These recommended changes will be good for often the best and brightest in Darwin not get rejected of the game financially for financial decisions often out of their control. Most small business owners I help with Bankruptcy, are hardworking, tax paying, employers keeping this country going.

There really is a fine line with just what the government is trying to do here, because they are aiming to balance helping individuals who have made decisions out of their control, and deterring people from making problems that land them in trouble and as a result an issue of Bankruptcy. However you also don't want to kill the experience and knowledge that business owners have. You undoubtedly don't want to smash people simply because they have had a sincere failure in a large or small start-up enterprise that has not succeeded.

At the major end of town large well established companies have long been criticised for their failure to innovate - lets face it they would be more likely to do so if the risks of insolvency were cut down because directors are worried they'll be personally accountable in an insolvency arrangement if the new venture doesn't work out.

The government's suggested 'safe haven' changes for directors of companies will enable Australia to more fully explore and innovate, which will make big updates for Bankruptcy. I cannot imagine, that these variations will be detrimental to Australia's economy, actually these bankruptcy laws will save the tax payer in all areas of health - Especially in the mental health sector because the emotional cost of bankruptcy is enormous. When it comes to Bankruptcy in Darwin not a day passes where I don't find out the tragic experiences of relationship failures, thoughts of suicide and the list continues.


Bankruptcy helps save lives, and it could save yours. If you need some assistance with your debts in Darwin or are just thinking of Bankruptcy, don't hesitate to call us here at Bankruptcy Experts Darwin on 1300 795 575, or visit our website: www.bankruptcyexpertsdarwin.com.au