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Perils of fringe financiers for small businesses

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Rod Henshaw.

2CC Canberra

Subject: Perils of fringe financiers for small businesses

Rod Henshaw

The perils of fringe financiers for small businesses

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

Energise enterprise by ensuring small business access to justice

Originally published in Convenience World's November 2025 edition.

By Bruce Billson.

Justice. The word itself carries weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair and if wronged, justice will serve and things will be right.

But for many small businesses, access to justice remains out of reach. For small businesses facing harm or difficulty remedying a situation that impedes their economic interests and legal rights, there are still too many barriers in accessing justice.

Franchising, when done well, can bring small business success

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson

Franchising, when done well, is one of the most dynamic and scalable models of entrepreneurship available to small business owners. It offers a unique blend of independence and support, allowing franchisees to leverage proven systems, established brand awareness and customer loyalty while contributing their own energy, capital, and local market insights.

Big business may take this for granted, but it's still out of reach for many small business owners

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Justice. The word itself carries weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair, and if wronged, justice will serve, and things will be right.

But for many small businesses, access to justice remains out of reach.

Recognising the vital contribution family businesses make to our community and economy

Published in Convenience World's October 2025 edition.

By Bruce Billson

Some of Australia’s most prominent and successful businesses are family businesses. They are also some of the most enduring, over generations, building a legacy in name and value to the Australian community. And for some of Australia’s largest businesses that once started out as a family business, their business success is also part of Australia’s economic fabric.

Awareness is not enough, and a fatalistic attitude to risks will only make things worse

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Welcome to Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to remind ourselves of the steps we can take to prevent an unwelcome cyber event that can be highly damaging to small and family-owned businesses.

The many activities over October remind us that we are not on our own in tackling the scourge and threat posed by cyber criminals.

Help is available, and there are simple and important steps we need to take ourselves to maximise protection.

Even if these aren't new ideas, we have a chance to shift the conversation

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish activity on many fronts in the lead-up.

Submissions aplenty and roundtables hosted by Ministers to capture input from those not in the impressive core group of 23 attendees that will participate in all sessions over the three days.

The public release of some submissions has helped generate lead-up discussion.

GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING MAY IMPACT SMEs SOONER THAN EXPECTED

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate themselves on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement, as climate-related financial disclosures requirements for large businesses and some government entities, could see SMEs asked for their GHG emissions if they are a supplier.