Originally published by The Canberra Times.

WHEN Paul, the proprietor of Zenbar Massage, was setting up his remedial massage business in Dickson last year, one of his early priorities was to promote his service.

After researching online, he engaged a British-based marketing company which, for a commission, sold appointment vouchers.

The promotion appeared to work and, in addition to his other clientele, Paul (who did not want his last name published) was seeing around one customer a day armed with a voucher for his service.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has reached the milestone of helping 40,000 small businesses seeking assistance with a dispute.

Ombudsman Bruce Billson said this was a significant moment for the agency.

New instant asset write-off thresholds, updated tax rules, increased superannuation payments and a rise in the minimum wage are among changes coming into effect on 1 July, says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

The economic contribution of small business to the Australian economy has topped half a trillion dollars, according to a report released today by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

The value of small business to the economy surged by 15 per cent in 2021-22 to $506 billion and accounts for one-third of Australia’s GDP.

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.

There’s no mistaking that it is tough going for the entrepreneurial women and men who take on the task of running a small business or being self-employed.

Read Bruce's 2023-24 Budget Brief

Read the May 2023-24 Budget Snapshot for Small Business

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, 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.

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.  

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.

By Bruce Billson

Originally published in the Herald Sun.

At a time when small and family businesses face headwinds, it’s not too much to ask that their big business customers play their parts by paying their invoices in a more timely way.

Woeful figures just released by the government regulator reveal only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days, while almost a quarter take more than 120 days to pay up.