The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has released a guide for small businesses using social media as their business platform, with tips to reduce the chances of being hacked.

“Using social media can be a valuable way to grow and increase awareness of your business with existing and potential new customers, but there are important precautions that must be taken” Mr Billson said.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is urging Federal Parliament to give certainty to small business about two crucial tax breaks announced in last year’s budget.

“Time is running out with just six weeks until the end of the financial year for small business to claim these deductions, but they still don’t know if they’re allowed to make the claims,” Mr Billson said.

“We’re hearing from confused small businesses who just want certainty.”

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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Dusty Fitzpatrick.

Radio 2BS Bathurst

Subjects: 2024-25 federal budget, small business mental health in Bathurst, small business procurement

Dusty Fitzpatrick

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, acknowledges the public release and response by the Australian Government of his inquiry into the effectiveness of Commonwealth procurement rules for small businesses.

The Ombudsman described the Government’s response as “underwhelming” and a “missed opportunity to meaningfully improve the opportunity for competitive small and family businesses to be a supplier to the Commonwealth”.

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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Stephen Cenatiempo.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: Budget 2024-25

Stephen Cenatiempo

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s federal Budget offers targeted measures to help small and family business deal with current pain points and headwinds.

“Small and family businesses facing punishing input costs that are squeezing margins will welcome the modest energy bill relief of $325,” Mr Billson said. “Every saving helps the small businesses who are doing it tough in our community.

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

Digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way small businesses connect and sell to their customers. Yet, when there is a problem - such as having your account shut down after being hacked - solving it can be a nightmare.

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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Isla Evans.

ABC Radio South East NSW

Subject: Regional bank branch closures

Presenter

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper.

The Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins, has announced that the Government has accept Dr Schaper’s recommendations including for the Ombudsman to lead work to improve standards of conduct in franchising by developing best practice guidance and education, and to improve the comparability and publication of franchising data sets.

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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Creating a Small Business and Codes List for the Federal Circuit Court

Leon Delaney