Ombudsman welcomes review of Banking Code Compliance Committee

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the final report of the independent review of the Banking Code Compliance Committee (BCCC), which includes recommendations to improve small business representation and engagement.

A key recommendation in the Khoury review is the addition of a fourth member on the committee with expertise in small business.

Banking services essential to rural and regional small businesses

Banking services are essential to small businesses in rural and regional areas and more should be done to support those impacted by branch closures, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says.

In a submission to the Regional Banking Taskforce, the Ombudsman said bank branch closures are disruptive to small and family businesses and that can have a ripple effect on the wider community.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the Australian Government’s extension of the SME Recovery Loan Scheme, providing small and family businesses with critical access to finance as they work to get back on their feet.

Under the extended scheme announced by the Treasurer today, SMEs impacted by the pandemic with a turnover of less than $250 million can access loans of up to $5 million over a term of up to 10 years.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has backed the RBA’s plea to banks to treat small businesses differently to consumers when considering loan applications.

Mr Billson welcomed further scrutiny of small business access to finance pledged by RBA Assistant Governor Chris Kent in today’s address to the Australian Finance Industry Association.

“Finance is the oxygen of enterprise,” Mr Billson says.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the government’s proposed reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct, including changes specific to the automotive industry.

Under the proposed amendments to franchising laws, big businesses will face penalties of up to $10 million for wilful, egregious and systemic breaches of their obligations under the Franchising Code.

The suite of reforms seeks to specifically mitigate the power imbalance between multinational car manufacturers and Australian dealers.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the landmark decision of the Full Federal Court to make ‘a sufficient departure from the norms of acceptable commercial behaviour’ a test of whether conduct is ‘unconscionable’ under the Australian law.

“This is a great day for Australian small businesses seeking protection from unconscionable conduct that can harm enterprises and livelihoods,’ Mr Billson says.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the ATO’s decision to turn its small business independent review service into a permanent offering, following a highly successful pilot program.

Mr Billson says the ATO’s now permanent independent review service provides small businesses with a timely, free and fair dispute resolution pathway.

“I congratulate the ATO for taking a proactive approach with this commitment to help resolve small business tax disputes,” Mr Billson says.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small businesses in regional and remote areas of Australia now have more reasons to digitise, with NBN Co announcing expanded coverage and lower wholesale prices.

NBN Co says its Business Satellite Service has been improved to cover Australia’s mainland and large surrounding islands, with wholesale prices significantly reduced.

“Fast and reliable internet is an essential service to most small businesses and especially those in regional and remote part of the country,” Mr Billson says.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed the new Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business the Hon Stuart Robert MP as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison today.

“I look forward to working with Minister Robert and his team to help make Australia the best place to start and grow a business,” Mr Billson says.

“Australia is a nation of small and family businesses, who have endured a challenging 12 months.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has called on Australia Post to defer its plans to stop delivering perishable goods, saying this would be a crushing blow to small business producers.

Mr Billson says Australia Post’s decision to cease delivery of various perishable goods from June 30 is a self-imposed deadline that could be delayed to work through its concerns, to support small business food producers.