westpac deal paying dividends

CMS must be getting close to being in the black this financial year. Plenty of big customers getting on board.



COMMSECURE LIMITED 2003-01-28 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Sydney

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
MEDIA RELEASE

HORNSBY COUNCIL PIONEERS ONLINE RATE PAYMENTS WITH COMMSECURE

Demonstrating the rapid adoption of electronic commerce by local
government, more than 52,000 residents of Hornsby Shire Council,
Sydney, will soon be able to view and pay rates online.

The new service will increase convenience to ratepayers while
reducing costs to Council associated with distributing notices and
receiving payments.

From February, residents will be able to view copies of their rate
notices via the Council's website (www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au) or through
their regular Internet banking website using BPAY View.

BPAY View is the latest innovation from BPAY, the nation's most
popular phone and Internet payment service. By registering to 'View
and Pay', people can see outstanding bills and pay them quickly and
securely without leaving their Internet banking service.

BPAY View also allows councils and other billers to combine messages
with bills in a direct, one-to-one environment.

Hornsby's new service has been made possible using technology from
Sydney company CommSecure Limited (ASX: CMS) and banking services
from Westpac.

In December, CommSecure and Westpac announced an alliance to deliver
e-commerce solutions to the bank's Local Government customers.
Hornsby is the first council to go live under the alliance.

The new system was implemented in just five weeks over the Christmas
period with minimal disruption to Council staff or technology
systems.

The Mayor of Hornsby Shire, Councillor John Muirhead, said a key
factor behind the implementation of online billing was the high
levels of Internet usage in the Shire.

"In the latest census figures from the Australian Bureau of
Statistics, Hornsby Shire was shown to be leading Australia in
embracing information technology. Internet usage was recorded at 51
per cent compared to the national average of only 36 per cent," he
said.

Residents will be notified of the new service in the Council's next
rate run during February. They will be able to make payments
immediately using BPAY or a credit card.

According to CommSecure Managing Director Mr Ray Loyzaga, the shift
to electronic commerce can deliver substantial savings to local
government groups.

"E-commerce reduces billing costs in two main ways," said Mr Loyzaga.
"First, there is less paperwork and labour involved in sending out
rates out electronically. Secondly, councils can substantially reduce
the cost of receiving payments by encouraging people to use low-cost,
automatic options like BPAY rather than cheques and credit cards that
can carry hefty handling charges or fees."