It was really disappointing to see the latest data on payment times by big businesses to small businesses.

We all know cash flow is king and such a vital ingredient of small business survival, particularly at these challenging and uncertain times.

And the latest report card from the Payment Times Reporting Regulator revealed more than half of the nation’s big businesses are missing their own deadlines for paying their small business suppliers.

There is no substitute for customers and it’s great to see the Commonwealth’s commitment to be a bigger customer for small businesses.

Changes to Commonwealth procurement rules that take effect from July 1 will create more opportunities for small business to win government contracts.