Scheme is still on track, says Tanner

FINANCE Minister Lindsay Tanner knew all about the events in Sydney last week that threatened to derail the push for a national system of electronic conveyancing.

"I was aware of the meeting," he says.

But Tanner, who is overseeing a working group aimed at delivering a national e-conveyancing scheme, is still confident that there will soon be a successful outcome.

And what he means by "successful" is not merely an agreement. Tanner wants the right agreement - one that provides an e-conveyancing system that does not stop at state borders.

"It is extremely important that we don't end up with an electronic rail-gauge problem," he says.

But he believes it is also extremely important that the final system accommodates the needs of all the major players.

He says the states will have a key role because they operate the land title registries. But he also recognises that the interests of lawyers and bankers need to be addressed.

"From the point of view of the banks, clearly they are very keen to ensure that we don't get a rail gauge problem with different and incompatible systems operating in different states.

"I support their view very strongly.

"Getting this right will be an extremely important thing for the efficiency of property transactions, which is a significant part of our economy."

Tanner, along with small business minister Craig Emerson, is responsible for a working group of officials that is preparing options for the future structure of e-conveyancing. Many of the members of this group are state treasury officers.

Tanner says the Government has been monitoring developments but the reports he has been receiving suggest there is no reason for the commonwealth to interfere.

"When there is work being done and progress is happening we are not interfering in a heavy-handed way; we are just monitoring very closely what is going on.

"The first step is to try to have the parties directly involved thrash out an agreement.

"I am optimistic that is going to happen.

"My understanding is that a lot of good progress has been made but the process is not quite completed."

But Tanner has also made his own position very clear.

"I have actually expressed my view very strongly in a couple of the meetings about this issue.

"It is really important. This is one of the really significant reforms that we need to ensure is implemented. I am very keen to make sure that it happens."

Chris Merritt | The Australian | 23 May 2008