What's on the minds of small business?

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

What's going on for small business right now? We have seen the first quarterly improvement since August 2022, suggesting that conditions might be stabilising and the most difficult days are possibly behind us.

But we need to do more to make sure we get the best out of the small business economy for both our national wellbeing and community benefit.

A barely noticeable improvement may signal the worst is behind us

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

ASBFEO recently released our fourth Small Business Pulse - a health-check on the small business operating environment.

It recorded a microscopic improvement of 0.1 per cent this quarter. This is the first quarterly increase since August 2022 after a significant deterioration that occurred in the post-COVID period.

Small business key to lifting living standards and economic resilience

Originally posted in the Canberra Times

It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what is needed to bolster our economic resilience and to restore living standards at a time of uncertainty and disruption. International economic uncertainty is exacerbating existing and persistently strong pressures on many small and family businesses.

Help at hand for small businesses

Originally Published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Vibrant, culturally and linguistically diverse small businesses are essential to growing our economy.

WE ALL depend on the small and family-run businesses in our lives - from your local café to your dog groomer, GP or landscaper.

The more than 2.6 million small businesses around the country are a vibrant and diverse group of passionate people who are carving out small business livelihoods and making significant contributions to workplaces, communities and the economy.