Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson discusses the 2023-24 Federal Budget and small business with Selina Green on ABC Radio SA South East.

Selina Green 

Small businesses have been put in the winners category by the ABC's federal budget coverage. So what relief will those small business operators out there be getting from the immediate pressures facing them? Things like rising freight costs, rising energy bills, staff shortages, a global slowdown in the economy. 

First published on Kochie’s Business Builders, 10 May 2023.

The Budget handed down on Tuesday night will help small businesses deal with some of the contemporary challenges they face as they prepare for a forecast lower rate of economic growth and continued pressures on their businesses.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s Budget helps small businesses with contemporary challenges.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Narelle Graham on ABC Radio South Australia.

Subject: Digital platforms and small businesses 

Narelle Graham 

There's been an increase in complaints by small businesses, this is across all of Australia, against digital platform providers - 236 cases brought to the Small Business Ombudsman since July of 2020. It's the issue of fake reviews that's part of the problem. So I’ll put the call out. Have you had to deal with that in your small business?  

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has called on digital platform providers to dramatically improve their dispute resolution processes for small business.

Mr Billson said there has been a noticeable increase in complaints and disputes involving digital platform providers, and since July 2020 the Ombudsman has taken on more 236 cases involving small and family businesses.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Brian Carlton.

Radio 2CC

Subject: Fake online reviews, digital platforms.

Many Australians will enjoy Australian seafood this Easter, but it should not come at the expense of proposed new country of origin labelling rules imposing a compliance nightmare for small and family businesses.  

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is calling for a common-sense approach to new labelling laws currently being considered.  

“Country-of-origin labelling for seafood in hospitality should be simple, useful and proportionate to the seller’s offering,” Mr Billson said.  

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Jac underwood.

Radio 2BS Bathurst

Subject: Procurement Inquiry

Jac Underwood

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has launched an Inquiry to examine the impact of reforms to Commonwealth procurement rules on small business.

The Inquiry was referred to the Ombudsman by the Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher.

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson extract of interview with Selina Green.

ABC SA South East live from Lucindale