Businesses with Commonwealth government contracts will have to pay their small business sub-contractors within 20 days or risk fines and penalties under new laws starting today, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

“Fair payment times are incredibly important for the viability of small businesses, and I welcome the beginning of this significant policy,” Mr Billson said. 

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has strongly backed a call from the Inspector-General of Taxation for the Australian Taxation Office to more consistently and transparently inform taxpayers of their right to review, complain, and appeal decisions.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has extended the deadline for a survey of women who own and lead businesses.

“There has been a tremendous response so far - it is clear there is an appetite to engage, and we want to give more women business owners and leaders the chance to be heard,” Mr Billson said.

The survey launched earlier this month and is aimed at identifying any unique challenges and opportunities faced by women who own and lead businesses. It will now remain open until 29 October. 

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has today released an interim report into the insurance crisis facing Australia’s amusement, leisure, and recreation sector. 

“There is a clear and present danger facing the amusement and recreation sector because an inability for these businesses to get insurance cover means that many of the attractions people know and love won’t be able to operate,” Mr Billson said. 

Small business owners and leaders have every right to be frustrated by the Reserve Bank’s review of retail payments regulations, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

While some progress is being made, it is disappointing this report falls well short of delivering the vital changes small and family businesses have been crying out for.

“More decisive action is urgently needed to stop small businesses and family enterprises paying more than they need to for payment services,” Mr Billson said.

State Small Business Commissioners and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman have met to continue our collaborative efforts within our jurisdictions, to support our nation’s vital small business community.

As always, we recognise and highlight the circumstances of enterprising people who drive and lead our small business economy and are encouraged by the cautious optimism of the small business community.

The meeting discussed key pressing issues including:

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson is proud to support this year’s Outstanding Western Sydney Women Awards to be hosted on 16 November 2021, with a stellar line-up of finalists announced.

“I’m encouraged to see so many exceptional women-owned and women-led businesses recognised at this premier event,” Mr Billson says.  

“The pandemic has generated a new era of enterprising women who are trailblazing their own paths to success.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has congratulated the winners of the Western Sydney Women Awards, many of whom are outstanding small and family business owners.

The awards, held virtually last night, recognised the resilience and agility of community leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals who have navigated their own pathways to success throughout the pandemic.

“Congratulations to the winners and finalists – who are all exceptional women,” Mr Billson says.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson is urging shoppers to spend big with small businesses this weekend, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales predicted to smash records.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales (Friday 26 November – Monday 29 November) are expected to hit a record spend of $5.4 billion in stores and online.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed today’s launch of the Payment Times Reports Register, which provides transparency around big business payment times.

The new online Payment Times Reports Register publishes information about the payment policies of businesses with a turnover of more than $100 million.

Mr Billson says the new register requires big businesses to be up front and honest about the time it takes to pay their small business suppliers.