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  • Media Centre item (63)

Media Section

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Media Source

  • (-) ASBFEO Live (63)

GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING MAY IMPACT SMEs SOONER THAN EXPECTED

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate themselves on greenhouse gas (GHG)…

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand

Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are urged to educate themselves on greenhouse gas (GHG)…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Mutual Recognition Scheme slashes red tape for tradies and professionals

In a move that has been welcomed by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, South Australia and Victoria will be the first states to implement the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme. The scheme removes the…

… Mutual Recognition Scheme slashes red tape for tradies and professionals 17 … first states to implement the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme. The scheme removes the need for tradespersons and professionals … first states to implement the Automatic Mutual Recognition Scheme. The scheme removes the need for tradespersons and …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Help small businesses thrive this MSME Day

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, urges all Australians to recognise the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of the people driving our 2.5 million small businesses on World Micro, Small and Medium-sized…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, urges all Australians to recognise the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of the people driving our 2.5 million small businesses on World Micro, Small and Medium-sized…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Perils of fringe financiers for small businesses

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Rod Henshaw.

2CC Canberra…

… in, have a look at the matter and for members of the AFCA scheme, can issue a determination on what a reasonable … business lenders but there's many that sit outside that scheme. And you don't have that safeguard, that opportunity … credible small business lenders are part of the AFCA scheme, but there's a few that aren't. And we're seeing – …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CHANGES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

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…

… and installing batteries and heat pumps. Under the scheme, which is pending passage through Parliament, up to … ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Super Guarantee The super guarantee (SG) rate will increase from 10.5% to 11% for all … ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. Super Guarantee The super guarantee (SG) rate will increase from …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

SOME IMPORTANT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Income tax cuts, a rise in the minimum wage, updated information on tax deductions and increased superannuation payments are among changes coming into effect on 1 July, says Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman…

… the Australian Taxation Office for more information. Super Guarantee The Super Guarantee (SG) rate will increase from 11% to 11.5% for all … will lift from 20% to 25%. It also says it will raise the SME exemption threshold to $500,000 to make it easier for … will lift from 20% to 25%. It also says it will raise the SME exemption threshold to $500,000 to make it easier for …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Payment surcharges and least-cost routing to reduce fees

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Subject: payment surcharges and least…

… Interchange fees. You've got merchant service fees. Issuer scheme fees. Acquirer scheme fees. I mean all these are bundled together … and I … making a difference between debit cards, credit cards, and scheme cards, like where you get extra rewards or benefits or …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business needs certainty

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is urging Federal Parliament to give certainty to small business about two crucial tax breaks announced in last year’s budget.

“Time is running out with just six weeks…

… certainty.” “I encourage the Parliament to act swiftly to guarantee these small business tax incentives.” The two … 2024.  (The Treasurer announced in this week’s budget the scheme would be extended to 30 June 2025.) Without … cooktops, and installing batteries and heat pumps. “The scheme requires eligible assets or upgrades to be first used …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small businesses need the right kind of incentives to succeed

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

I was shocked, but sadly not surprised, to read recently that one in five small businesses have zero cash reserves.

About 18 per cent have less than a month's worth of cash…

… the foundations for success. In Singapore, a tax discount scheme is available in the early years of a new enterprise in … incentive in the form of a tax discount or offset scheme to support businesses retaining more of the … to energise enterprise. Singapore's start-up tax exemption scheme is specifically designed to recognise that new …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Government should show small businesses respect

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Australia's small businesses have been treated in a very shabby way by squabbling in our Federal Parliament.And our Parliament is a repeat offender.

Repeatedly we hear it said that small business…

… and heat pumps. The government boasted the $314 million scheme had been "specially timed" to help small businesses … for their future growth. Now the clock is running out. The scheme requires a small business to have the assets or … no less than six months from Royal Assent until the time a scheme ends. Such incentives help energise enterprise. That's …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

The perils of fringe financiers for small businesses

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

While there can be many joys of small business ownership, small businesses also deal with many potential perils.Access to finance is one of the double-edged levers for small…

… to small business are part of the AFCA dispute resolution scheme. For AFCA to be able to help, the financial firm needs … to be an AFCA member and agree to the jurisdiction of its scheme. AFCA recently reported that complaints from small … to small business are part of the AFCA dispute resolution scheme. For AFCA to be able to help, the financial firm needs …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN RELEASES PROCUREMENT INQUIRY ISSUES PAPER

Many small businesses say they feel excluded from the chance to tender for Australian Government procurement contracts because they are not part of the ‘in-crowd’ or find the process too hard to navigate, says the Australian Small Business and Family…

… up to a particular value.   “Yet being on a panel does not guarantee work. Many small businesses have told us how they … up to a particular value.   “Yet being on a panel does not guarantee work. Many small businesses have told us how they …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small Business cranky and exasperated about delay passing legislation

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says the small business community is exasperated by the delay in passing vital incentives to invest and create jobs that will expire on Sunday.

The Ombudsman called for…

… no less than 6 months from Royal Assent until the time a scheme ends. “Incentives like these programs help energise … and heat pumps. “The Government said the $314 million scheme had been ‘specially timed’ to help small businesses … no less than 6 months from Royal Assent until the time a scheme ends. “Incentives like these programs help energise …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Payment Times Reporting Scheme

Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman sat down with Nick Fox, Deloitte’s Payment Times Reporting Lead to discuss the recent release of the first Payment Times Reporting Register.

Below is a summary of the…

… Payment Times Reporting Scheme 10 March 2022 Bruce Billson, the Australian Small … Payment Times Reporting Scheme …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

The obstacles entrepreneurs face

By Bruce Billson.

Published in the Western Advocate.

More needs to be done to support and recognise small businesses. 

A RECENT Westpac study found almost half of the people starting their own business are motivated by the dream…

… the valley of death for cash flow. It offers an incentive scheme for eligible businesses to reduce the amount of tax … incentive in the form of a tax discount or offset scheme to support businesses retaining more of the … the valley of death for cash flow. It offers an incentive scheme for eligible businesses to reduce the amount of tax …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

2023-24 BUDGET HELPS SMALL BUSINESS WITH CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

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…

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…

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

You always hear about businesses doing the wrong thing. Let's flip the script

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

A good business pays its taxes, proper employee entitlements and its small business suppliers in a timely way.

Not paying is an unfair advantage over other businesses who…

… the up-until-now ineffective payment times reporting scheme and tools that monitor big business payment ambitions … to big business so we support a "name, proclaim and shame" scheme that celebrates those who support small business by … for a "Good Business Pays" recognition and accreditation scheme to honour businesses which fulfil their workplace …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

VITAL SMALL BUSINESS PROTECTIONS SAVED IN NEW BANKING CODE OF PRACTICE

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says he welcomes the regulator’s decision to retain and enhance vital protections for small businesses in the new Banking Code of Practice. 

“A push by the banks…

… is held with a prospective guarantor before taking a guarantee, and to discuss customer circumstances and … is held with a prospective guarantor before taking a guarantee, and to discuss customer circumstances and …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

What's on the minds of small business?

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

What's going on for small business right now? We have seen the first quarterly improvement since August 2022, suggesting that conditions might be stabilising and the most difficult…

… growth and sustainability. A tax discount or offset scheme, allowing new businesses to retain more of their … growth and sustainability. A tax discount or offset scheme, allowing new businesses to retain more of their …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Natural disaster preparation and checklists for small business

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subjects: How small business can prepare for a…

… to things like the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme to be prepared to compensate businesses that have had … to things like the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme to be prepared to compensate businesses that have had …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business conditions, ATO debt collections, ASBFEO Tax Concierge Service, global computer outage

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Jess McGuire.

ABC Radio NSW Regional

Subjects: Small business conditions, ATO debt collections, ASBFEO Tax Concierge Service, global computer…

… tax debt there's also an outstanding superannuation guarantee contribution. So, you know, there's team members of … And particularly if there's an outstanding superannuation guarantee liability there, satisfying that quickly is what … tax debt there's also an outstanding superannuation guarantee contribution. So, you know, there's team members of …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business insurance crisis

 Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.

Radio 2CC Canberra

 

Leon Delaney

The Australian Small…

… Mutual Fund is almost like a group self-insure scheme. We see them in some parts of the Australian economy … Mutual Fund is almost like a group self-insure scheme. We see them in some parts of the Australian economy …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

40,000 SMALL BUSINESSES HELPED BY OMBUDSMAN

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.

“…

… grow and transform a small business and while we can’t guarantee every business will succeed, we strive to make sure … grow and transform a small business and while we can’t guarantee every business will succeed, we strive to make sure …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Even if these aren't new ideas, we have a chance to shift the conversation

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish…

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

The Treasurer has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few short days (August 19 to 21), and there is feverish…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

RIGHT-SIZED RULES BEST ‘CATCH’ TO ‘RELEASE’ SMALL BUSINESS FROM EXCESSIVE REGULATION WITH SEAFOOD LABELLING

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…

… businesses.    Mr Billson called for the entire scheme to be reconsidered – given its high compliance costs – … businesses.    Mr Billson called for the entire scheme to be reconsidered – given its high compliance costs – …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Supporting small businesses should come with a sense of urgency

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

With election talk building and political announcements starting to roll out, there has not been a more important time for small businesses to be seen, heard and supported.

…

… and regulators can realistically deliver. No one can guarantee that every small business will succeed. But we … and regulators can realistically deliver. No one can guarantee that every small business will succeed. But we …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

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…

… but their customers,” Mr Billson said. “We can’t guarantee that every small business will succeed but it is … but their customers,” Mr Billson said. “We can’t guarantee that every small business will succeed but it is …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Keeping small businesses afloat comes down to us all

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

This week we celebrate World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, which is a terrific opportunity to say a big thank you to the enterprising people who are the lifeblood of our communities.…

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

This week we celebrate World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, which is a terrific opportunity to say a big thank you to the enterprising people who are the lifeblood of our communities.…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes Franchising Code of Conduct Review

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has warmly welcomed the release of the review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper.

The Ombudsman performs a range of functions under the Franchise…

… an opportunity to make a reasonable return, it does not guarantee a fixed rate of return. The statement would also … an opportunity to make a reasonable return, it does not guarantee a fixed rate of return. The statement would also …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman spells out what the Budget got right and wrong for small business

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…

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…

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledge their continuing connection to land, water and community.

We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past, present and emerging.

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