Ombudsman helping small business resolve disputes

Disputes about being paid, trouble with a digital service provider, contract battles and franchise disagreements are the top four issues where small business have sought the help of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman over the past six months.

The Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, said two out of every five requests for help from a small business related to a payment dispute while almost one-quarter of cases involved digital platform providers.

SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS

The terrible floods and storms causing great trauma for parts of the country should be a red alert for small business to be prepared for natural disasters, warns the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said the overwhelming majority of small and family businesses do not have a current disaster preparation plan for their business.

“An inquiry by my office found only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan,” the Ombudsman said.

Uncaring banks drop a deposit on regional clients

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson.

Banking is an essential service with a privileged position in the economy, and our small, family and farming businesses depend on having a close and reliable relationship with their bank. But when the bank leaves town, it can have a shocking effect on those businesses, jobs, liveability and prosperity. 

Since 2017, there’s been a reduction in bank branches throughout Australia of one-third and the number of automatic teller machines has been cut by two-thirds.