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  • Media Centre item (193)

Media Section

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  • (-) Media Centre (193)

BIG BUSINESSES URGED TO “LIFT THEIR GAME” ON PAYMENT TIMES

Only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days while nearly one-quarter take more than 120 days to pay up, according to new payment times data.

“This is a woeful performance and is bitterly disappointing…

… BIG BUSINESSES URGED TO “LIFT THEIR GAME” ON PAYMENT TIMES 01 February 2023 Only three out of 10 big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days while nearly one-quarter take more than 120 days to … long to have their invoices paid,” Mr Billson said. “At a time when small and family businesses are facing headwinds, …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: review of Payment Times Reporting Act (ABC News Radio)

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Glen Bartholomew.

ABC News Radio

Subject: review of Payment Times Reporting Act…

… TRANSCRIPT: review of Payment Times Reporting Act (ABC News Radio) 01 September … and family business suppliers and paying, you know, within 30 days. That's hardly shooting the lights out, but it's … they've called out through their own policies a 30-day payment expectation but sadly too many aren't living up …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Helping small business resolve disputes, payment times, digital platforms

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subject: Helping small business resolve disputes,…

… TRANSCRIPT: Helping small business resolve disputes, payment times, digital platforms 31 January 2024 TRANSCRIPT … figures that she's presented today, the average payment time for a big business to pay a small business is now down to 35.4 days. So, in other words, it's more than 30 days. And that represents an improvement? It's still too …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business headwinds

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subjects: Small business headwinds and need for right-sized regulation, payment times, Commonwealth…

… business headwinds and need for right-sized regulation, payment times, Commonwealth procurement. Leon Delaney The … payment times. Now, getting small businesses paid on time has been quite a considerable challenge for those … to be paid. There's about a third that get paid within 30 days. Cash flow, Leon, it's vital for business. It's the …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES PAYMENT TIMES REVIEW BY DR CRAIG EMERSON

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, wholeheartedly supports the call to overhaul the Payment Times Reporting Act and welcomes recommendations to make the data more useful for small business.

“Finance…

… OMBUDSMAN WELCOMES PAYMENT TIMES REVIEW BY DR CRAIG EMERSON 01 September 2023 … Register to provide meaningful information that can easily be understood and applied by small business, regulators and … game. “ASBFEO is the only organisation that has dedicated time and resources to unpack the current complicated …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: payment surcharges and need for least-cost routing to cut payment fees

 16 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with David Penberthy and Will Goodings.

Radio 5AA, Adelaide

…

… TRANSCRIPT: payment surcharges and need for least-cost routing to cut … Bruce, good morning to you.  Bruce Billson Will, fab to be with you and Penbo.  David Penberthy Bruce, great having you on again, mate. We loved our segment last time. We got really good feedback from the listeners about …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

MEDIA RELEASE: 12 days until 3G shutdown - What small, family and farming business need to check

Small and family businesses have just 12 days to make sure they do not have their vital business systems and equipment fail when the 3G network is switched off on 28 October, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce…

… is an awful lot of technology and equipment we use every day that's enabled by 3G as the wireless comms link and that … dysfunction they may face.” With 12 days to shutdown, time for small business to check older-style EFTPOS … way it allows us to get on with business. “It would be terrible if the first time you learn it runs on 3G is when …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed)

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…

… Paying on time tricky business (Op-ed) 14 February 2023 By Bruce … big businesses pay their small business customers within 30 days, while almost a quarter take more than 120 days to … of the assistance cases raised with my office relate to payment times, and it's pleasing the Australian government …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
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…

… were announced more than a year ago and will expire on 30 June,” Mr Billson said. “The small business community is … you want to see more of but if there is so little time to act, the purpose and value of the incentive is … World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (on Thursday 27 June) but the Parliament is hardly …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

National Family Business Day

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Canberra…

… National Family Business Day 19 September 2025 TRANSCRIPT Australian Small Business … some funds to reward, you know, your parents for maybe 30, 40, 50 years of work? Do they just hand it over, or is … a young person, look, you know, you're investing a bit of time and gaining some knowledge about this business before …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Payment surcharges and need for least-cost routing to cut fees

 17 October 2024

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Steve Austin.

ABC Radio Brisbane

 

…

… Payment surcharges and need for least-cost routing to cut … times are tough. Some have described it as challenging a time as they can recall. We saw in the last full year of tax … the use of surcharges on tap-and-go payments is going to be examined. What would small business like to see happen, …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… Payment surcharges and least-cost routing to reduce fees 28 … and frustrating surcharge that gets included. I know every time I get a pizza, there's like another 13 cents or … to be with you and your listeners on this glorious capital day.  Leon Delaney It's a lovely day, isn't it, and you've …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

The stress of running a business doesn't vanish at closing time

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

This is a big time of year with lots going on. Reflecting on the year passed, catching up with those near and dear and perhaps setting some goals for the year ahead.

For…

… The stress of running a business doesn't vanish at closing time 06 January 2025 Originally published in The Canberra … for the year ahead. For small business owners , it can be a particularly important time. This festive and summer … for managing the stress. These include: Structuring your day by pro-actively scheduling time for important stuff …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Small Business – “looking after yourself”.

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nicole Overall.

2CC Canberra

Subject: Small Business – “looking after yourself”.…

… Nicole Overall Well this afternoon I am going to be talking a little bit about small business from varying … but the truth of the matter is they haven't had an easy time Bruce. And it's not looking that great. Holiday time … people can do for themselves is really structure their day, think about putting time aside for the important stuff. …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

WHEN TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS MEANS TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has urged small business owners to take time early in the new year to take stock of their mental and financial well-being.

“When you own a small business, it is just…

… Bruce Billson, has urged small business owners to take time early in the new year to take stock of their mental and … their mental and financial well-being. Sometimes it can be as simple as making time to pause, reflect and reconnect.” … stressors this involves.  These include: Structuring their day to navigate ‘not enough hours in the day’ – pro-actively …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Merchant transaction fees (least-cost routing)…

… like tap-and-go payments and other forms of electronic payment. And that would save both small businesses and … Billson. Good afternoon.  Bruce Billson Leon, great to be with you and the Capital listeners.  Leon Delaney Thanks … Now handling cash comes with a cost - the cost of the time that it takes to manage the cash, to hold the cash, to …

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…

… leaders as we near the end of the financial year it can be easy to overlook new and changing rules. However, there … put aside. “The end of the financial year is also a good time to not just have a stocktake but to take stock of the … introduced during the COVID pandemic which expires on 30 June and provided a write-off of eligible assets costing …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Mysterious surcharges on our payments are unfair on everyone

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson.

No one is happy when you buy a coffee, a meal or even an item of furniture and as you tap your card a few extra cents or dollars are drained from your account.

Typically, a…

… been calling for a system called least-cost routing to be mandatory. I'm delighted the Australian government has … to worsen unless action is taken. When you tap-and-go, the payment technology automatically chooses the payment pathway. … be good for the consumer and the merchant, but most of the time that's not what happens. Instead, it is being operated …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Release of the ASBFEO Small Business Guide to dealing with debt/ASBFEO Review

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Canberra

 

Subject: Release of the ASBFEO Small…

… Are they getting better at paying their bills on time?  Bruce Billson  Yes, they are, there's a number of very … and it particularly doesn't reach into areas where that payment worry might actually come after you - the business … if that, you know if they've got 5 minutes in their busy day to read through it? Bruce Billson  Jump on the nation's …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… near the end of the financial year it can be a stressful time and easy to overlook new and changing rules.  “The end … any tax deductable items their business may need before 30 June such as day-to-day operating expenses, purchases of products or … any tax deductable items their business may need before 30 June such as day-to-day operating expenses, purchases of …

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…

… businesses who have done the wrong thing. And they should be penalised, named and shamed. But the majority are doing … like they are lumped together with the transgressors. It's time to honour businesses - big and small - who meet the … come with the big responsibility of business ownership. Payment obligations are at the forefront of expectations as …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Cyber security tips for small business

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Tim Webster.

ABC Radio Sydney

Subjects: ransomware attacks on small business, cyber security tips for small business, insolvency concerns,…

… joins us from time to time and we love talking to him. G’day.  Bruce Billson Great to be with you Tim. And I haven't … bills and the like. But also we're getting an increase in payment disputes even when work is carried out under the … into the future. Tim Webster And just while I’ve got 30 seconds, a texter says to both of us. Mick Jagger did …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Small business conditions

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Tim Webster.

ABC Radio Sydney

Subjects: Small business conditions, small business help, tips for small businesses using social media platforms,…

… to have a chat to us about all of this. Bruce Billson. G’day, Bruce. Bruce Billson Tim, happy to be with you and your … at 10 o’clock at night, it's really tough. That's at a time when getting it wrong can have really significant … the average age, and only about 8% are under the age of 30. Now, back in the '70s, it was 17% were under the age of …

Media Centre item
News
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman welcomes designated-complaints legislation

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the introduction of legislation into Federal Parliament that will create a “designated-complaints” mechanism to fast-track serious disputes for small businesses…

… importance of their issues and the need for the issues to be examined and actioned by the regulator. We currently refer … the ACCC for its attention to help ensure that unnecessary time does not elapse, which may cause additional harm to … conduct and practices. “Small businesses suffer in real time when concerning conduct occurs so obviously a vital test …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Understanding the skills to handle business barneys

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Canberra Times.

Mary runs a small civil construction business but one of her customers, another small business, had not paid their $20,000 bill for 180 days.

…

… bill for 180 days. The delay, well beyond the usual payment terms of 30 days, was having significant flow-on consequences for Mary … the result is not as good, and the business might never be paid what they are owed. Over the past year, small and … days. The delay, well beyond the usual payment terms of 30 days, was having significant flow-on consequences for Mary …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Energising enterprise, celebrating small and family businesses, right-sized regulation, seafood industry labelling, procurement

TRANSCRIPT

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

Radio 2CC Canberra

Subjects: Energising enterprise, celebrating small…

… by the Canberra Times over the weekend, saying it's time to celebrate Australia's forgotten small business. … news stories.  But if you look at the trajectory over time, you actually see that as impressive as those things … o’clock at night and they'll do it themselves and they'll be the marketing person, they'll be the chief financial …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

ASBFEO hits 50,000 Milestone of helping Small Businesses

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Canberra

Subject: ASBFEO hits 50,000 Milestone of helping Small…

… to 50,000 small and family businesses over that period of time.  The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise … Billson, good afternoon.  Bruce Billson  Leon, fab to be with you and your listeners today.  Leon Delaney  Well … after they have tried to delight customers during the day. Some of that help can be really hard to find.  We offer …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Concern about small businesses being paid

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Emma Hannigan.

ABC Radio Gold Coast

Subject: Concern about small businesses being paid

Announcer

It's a challenging…

… small businesses being paid Announcer It's a challenging time for many small businesses. If you're the owner of one, … help from distressed business owners who fear they won't be paid by those who owe them money and are worried about … and that, on top of some big businesses with appalling payment performance for small business suppliers, is a real …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Tradies and sub-contractors to be paid on time and in full, in ‘fairer go’ for construction

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) is encouraged by the Australian Government’s response to the Murray Review of Security of Payment Laws, and welcomes the announcement of further action to help ensure tradies and…

… Tradies and sub-contractors to be paid on time and in full, in ‘fairer go’ for construction … Government’s response to the Murray Review of Security of Payment Laws, and welcomes the announcement of further action … Government’s response to the Murray Review of Security of Payment Laws, and welcomes the announcement of further action …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Celebrating World Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging Australians to celebrate World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day on 27 June by saying thank you to small and family businesses for their…

… Celebrating World Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day 25 June 2024 The Australian Small Business and Family … consider this as an afterthought. This would mean every time a decision is made, small business will be front of mind … were twice as many small business owners aged between 30 and 49 as there were aged over 50. Only 8 per cent of our …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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