If we want to see more Australians survive and thrive in small business, the burden of increasingly complex regulations must be reduced.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, the Hon Bruce Billson has welcomed the announcement of the Lynda McAlary-Smith as his successor.

Over the past few years, Australia has endured an onslaught of natural disasters. Floods, storms, cyclones and bushfires have devastated communities, and the impact on too many small and family businesses has been just as severe.

Australia's small and family businesses are backing themselves and drawing on their self-belief and entrepreneurial instincts to envision a more positive year ahead.