Originally published in the Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

We need to do more to support small and family businesses. These enterprises, and the driven and courageous women and men that lead them, are the engine-room of our economy…

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The ASBFEO February Small Business Pulse makes it clear that while an interest rate cut may provide some modest relief to financing costs and a slight nudge to consumer demand, the…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has welcomed the expansion of subsidised legal advice for eligible small and family businesses to support more effective engagement in dispute resolution processes.

The…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has enthusiastically welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to introduce protections for small and family businesses harmed by unfair business trading practices. 

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has urged struggling small and family businesses to be proactive at tax time, as a new report reveals declining payment plans despite record collectible debt owed to the…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is encouraging Australians to support Indigenous businesses, as the nation celebrates NAIDOC WEEK 2021.

Mr Billson says the Indigenous business sector is one of the…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has recognised the rise of ‘womenpreneurs’ and the key role women will play in driving future business growth on World MSME Day (Sunday 27 June, 2021).

World…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has today released the final report into the insurance crisis facing Australia’s amusement, leisure, and recreation sector, declaring “the show must go on”.

The…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed today’s launch of the Payment Times Reports Register, which provides transparency around big business payment times.

The new online Payment Times Reports…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging shoppers to spend big with small businesses this weekend, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales predicted to smash records.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has congratulated the winners of the Western Sydney Women Awards, many of whom are outstanding small and family business owners.

The awards, held virtually last night,…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson is proud to support this year’s Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards to be hosted on 16 November 2021, with a stellar line-up of finalists announced.

“I’m…

State Small Business Commissioners and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman have met to continue our collaborative efforts within our jurisdictions, to support our nation’s vital small business community.

As always, we…

Small business owners and leaders have every right to be frustrated by the Reserve Bank’s review of retail payments regulations, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

While some progress is being…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has today released an interim report into the insurance crisis facing Australia’s amusement, leisure, and recreation sector. 

“There is a clear and present…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has extended the deadline for a survey of women who own and lead businesses.

“There has been a tremendous response so far - it is clear there is an appetite to engage…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has strongly backed a call from the Inspector-General of Taxation for the Australian Taxation Office to more consistently and transparently…

Businesses with Commonwealth government contracts will have to pay their small business sub-contractors within 20 days or risk fines and penalties under new laws starting today, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson today welcomed the announcement by the Commonwealth Bank that it will automatically lower costs incurred by small businesses and family enterprises with a turnover of less than…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is encouraging Australians to celebrate and support family businesses on National Family Business Day.

Speaking in a video marking the day, Mr Billson says family…

A national awareness campaign about a free tailored mental health support service for small business owners has begun, amid new research revealing the emotional toll on small business owners during the past year.

The Australian Small Business…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed a new online tool for small business owners, designed to take the stress out of hiring their first employee.

The Employment Contract Tool – recently…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says his office will closely monitor Woolworths’ planned acquisition of a controlling stake in PFD Food services (PFD), in regards to the impact it has on small businesses in…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has today launched a Review of the Discretionary Mutual Fund proposed for small businesses in the amusement, leisure and recreation sector unable to secure essential insurance…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the significant reforms to the Franchising Code of Conduct announced by the Australian Government today will help level the playing field across the franchising sector.…

Small and family businesses are benefiting from a significant boost in consumer sentiment, with new research revealing 93% of Aussies prefer to buy products made in Australia.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says small business tradespeople will be able to meet the demand for their skills wherever they are in Australia under new laws passed by the Senate.

The Australian…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the Startup Year initiative proposed in Labor’s budget reply could contribute to Australia having a world-class ecosystem for entrepreneurship.

Labor Leader…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson has welcomed plans to establish a new mandatory Franchise Disclosure Registry, saying it will provide prospective franchisees with vital information needed prior to…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says the Federal Government’s 2021 Budget is a clear acknowledgement that small and family businesses are central to the nation’s economic recovery and future prosperity.…