This summer's reading wasn't consumed at the coast nor did it take me to some exotic location - instead it kept me grounded in Main Street. 

If we want to see more Australians survive and thrive in small business, the burden of increasingly complex regulations must be reduced.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, the Hon Bruce Billson has welcomed the announcement of the Lynda McAlary-Smith as his successor.

Over the past few years, Australia has endured an onslaught of natural disasters. Floods, storms, cyclones and bushfires have devastated communities, and the impact on too many small and family businesses has been just as severe.