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The November 2025 Small Business Pulse is now available

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  • Media Centre item (193)

Media Section

  • Policy & Advocacy (2)
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  • (-) Media Centre (193)

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Oliver Peterson

Radio 6PR Perth

Subject: internet domain name changes

Oliver Peterson

You’re being warned if you're a small business owner and for that matter, if you go to a website,…

… Ombudsman. Good afternoon. Bruce Billson Oli, great to be with you and 6PR listeners. Oliver Peterson It's great to … be a genius to know that change is happening. And for some time I've been urging the non-government regulator that … the thing I'm trying to surface. There is a window of time that runs out around the 20th of September. For …

Media Centre item
Transcript
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…

… has released the agenda for the much-vaunted three-day Economic Reform Roundtable he is hosting in just a few … entrepreneurship, investment and competitiveness and would be funded by tax changes for the big end of town. It is an … where the focus of the Economic Reform Roundtable should be and what practical commitments should emerge. Even if some …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Thomas Oriti.

ABC News Radio

Subject: Small business problems with digital…

… Ombudsman. Bruce, good morning. Thank you for your time. Bruce Billson Thomas, fab to be with you and your listeners.  Thomas Oriti How bad is this … customer relationships where there's valuable data about payment arrangements and the like. It might be that they've …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

This must be the last time Optus cuts off small business

Originally published in The Daily Telegraph

By Bruce Billson

The new Optus leadership needs to demonstrate it truly understands the economic pain the recent outage has inflicted on some small and family businesses.

Our…

… This must be the last time Optus cuts off small business 21 November … small and family businesses deserve respect and not to be treated in such a shabby way as they have been by Optus. … Comments by the company that the loss was only $2 a day shows it does not understand its customers. This is what …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Business disputes are often in the Federal Court. But, where does that leave those too small to pay the costs?

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Competition laws will work better for small businesses with a dedicated court list.

For small businesses, effective competition is vital. Knowing they can compete on a level…

… disputes in the federal jurisdiction. This reform would be a practical solution to the systemic barriers that small … face in enforcing their legal rights, including the cost, time and complexity of legal proceedings. While the … processes are no guarantee that a satisfactory outcome can be achieved. We see many cases where resolution is delayed or …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: 2024-25 federal budget, small business mental health in Bathurst, small business procurement

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Dusty Fitzpatrick.

Radio 2BS Bathurst

 

Subjects: 2024-25 federal budget…

… now. Bruce, good afternoon.  Bruce Billson Dusty, good to be with you and your listeners.  Dusty Fitzpatrick It's … also matched to that amount. That's not the case this time around. So, whilst that relief will be there, people … than half are aged over 50, with only 6% under the age of 30. Now it's about 8% nationally.  But this tells us that …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Insolvency figures, small business pulse, ASBFEO assistance

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Nick Rheinberger.

ABC Radio…

… Good morning, Bruce.  Bruce Billson Nick, great to be with you and your Illawarra listeners.  Nick Rheinberger … sort of business activity, so it's a really disturbing time. The business conditions, thank goodness, look like … disputes we deal with at my office, about 40% of those are payment disputes. So that's where people have delivered the …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

OP-ED: Big tech must do better by small biz

Bruce Billson 

Published in The Daily Telegraph and the Courier-Mail

15 October 2024

When a small business has a problem with a Big Tech digital platform - such as having your account shut down after being hacked…

… your account shut down after being hacked - solving it can be a nightmare. These platforms require a time and resource-poor small business to navigate the most … my agency has soared by 86 per cent compared with the same time last year. Over the past two years, the number of small …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Privacy changes coming for small business

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

Radio 2CC

Subject: Privacy changes coming for small business

Leon Delaney

Small businesses in…

… on replacing the current arrangements. but what will they be replaced with, and will they be workable for small … a risk to their business. That's been with us for some time. But in the Privacy Act, there is a general exemption … need to involve deep ponderance around principles and 20, 30, 40 hours navigating that framework. For businesses …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Right-sized regulation for small businesses will boost productivity

Published in the Canberra Times.

Of the businesses in Australia, 97 per cent of them are small businesses.Small businesses generate nearly $600 billion of economic activity accounting for 32 per cent of our nation's GDP and provide jobs for 5.17…

… business was much larger, and I'm optimistic that it can be again. With government focused on boosting productivity, … cashflow concerns, digital impacts, cyber threats, poor payment times and an ever-changing business landscape. The … of "right-sizing" and implementation support saps precious time, resources and attention away from already stretched and …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Ombudsman launches Inquiry into Commonwealth Procurement

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…

… Ombudsman launches Inquiry into Commonwealth Procurement 30 March 2023 The Australian Small Business and Family … great to see the Australian Government’s commitment to be a bigger customer for small businesses,” Mr Billson said. … contracts can be complex, costly, confusing and time-consuming. “Supporting the opportunity for small and …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
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.

“…

… watch the financial and emotional damage occur in real time with no ability to stop it. “One of the absurdities of … that clear, appropriate, and standardised procedures be put in place to enable a timely resolution for small … to be about payments which accounts for 38%, up from 30% two years ago. There has also been a rise in the …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Small businesses renewal accelerates as owners embrace growth and transformation

Key highlights: ASBFEO Small Business Pulse November 2025

The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse increased by 0.8% in the three months to November 2025 – the third consecutive quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same…

… quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same time last year. There is strong momentum amongst small … quarterly increase. It increased 0.5% compared to the same time last year. The Australian Small Business and Family … as tax deductions [6] . Regulators’ terminology can also be confusing for entrepreneurs. For example, confusion on …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Why it’s time to celebrate our hard-working self-employed

Originally published in Kochie's Business Builder.

We rightly honour and respect people for the livelihoods they carve out and the contribution they make to workplaces and the economy. But what is often missed as a vital and valued path to…

… Why it’s time to celebrate our hard-working self-employed 28 August … come from? Let’s celebrate the self-employed The dream to be your own boss, working when and where you choose while … than two-thirds of self-employed women choose to work part-time, compared with only 47 per cent of women in the general …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

MEDIA RELEASE: Surge in small business disputes with Big Tech platforms

The number of small business disputes with Big Tech platform providers is 86 per cent higher than the same time last year, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.

Mr Billson said over the past…

… platform providers is 86 per cent higher than the same time last year, according to the Australian Small Business … your account shut down after being hacked – solving it can be a nightmare.  “These platforms require a time and resource-poor small business to navigate the most …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

OP-ED: Big tech is failing the little guys

Bruce Billson 

 

Published in the Bendigo Advertiser and ACM Network

14 October, 2024

BIG tech digital platform providers need to urgently lift their game and provide clear, appropriate and easily…

… providers has soared by 86 per cent compared to the same time last year. And over the past two years, the number of … your account shut down after being hacked - solving it can be a nightmare. These platforms require a time and resource-poor small business to navigate the most …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Recognising the vital contribution family businesses make to our community and economy

Published in Convenience World's October 2025 edition.

By Bruce Billson 

Some of Australia’s most prominent and successful businesses are family businesses. They are also some of the most enduring, over generations, building a legacy…

… services businesses in your community, often these will be family-owned and led.   Owning and running a small …   For many, there’s no switching off at the end of the day and family business leaders often invest their personal funds, energy and time to make it work. They are always striving, because they …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Franchising, when done well, can bring small business success

Originally published in The Canberra Times.

By Bruce Billson

Franchising, when done well, is one of the most dynamic and scalable models of entrepreneurship available to small business owners. It offers a unique blend of independence and…

… a powerful model, but it also means that both parties must be aligned in purpose and practice. The recently released … a culture, and a set of obligations that will shape your day-to-day life. Prospective franchisees and franchisors alike need … a culture, and a set of obligations that will shape your day-to-day life. Prospective franchisees and franchisors …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Don’t let complacency catch you out in coming 3G shut-off

By Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the West Australian.

Small, family and farming businesses should take urgent action to make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off coming in October.

This change is about far more…

… bookings and payroll, could stop working. At risk may be security systems and cameras, tablets, telephones in … is an awful lot of technology and equipment used every day that’s actually enabled by 3G, and I fear many small … to get on with business. It would be terrible if the first time you learn it runs on 3G is when it shuts down, and that …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

DIGITAL PLATFORM PROVIDERS NEED TO DO BETTER FOR SMALL BUSINESS

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…

… us with a direct human contact to enable these disputes to be escalated and a satisfactory outcome achieved quickly. … watch the financial and emotional damage occur in real time with no ability to stop it. “There have been too many … with scammers only removing them once they receive payment. “Most disturbingly, there are commercial service …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

New Franchising Sector Powers for Small Business Ombudsman

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the review of the Franchising Code of Conduct by Dr Michael Schaper.

The Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins,…

… of franchising data sets. The Ombudsman will also be given the power to name and shame franchisors who have not … discourage big business from using their muscle to force time and resource-poor small business to have no alternative … but to seek redress in court – an expensive and time-consuming pathway they almost always cannot afford to …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Help at hand for small businesses

Originally Published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Vibrant, culturally and linguistically diverse small businesses are essential to growing our economy.

WE ALL depend on the small and family-run businesses in our lives - from…

… contribution is widely valued and recognised. What might be less obvious is the diversity of small business owners.  … from ASBFEO case managers, almost 60 per cent had a payment dispute. This is almost double the number of … needed active case management assistance from ASBFEO for payment dispute in the March 2025 quarter. Sadly, payment …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Supermarket inquiry, Federal Circuit Court Small Business and Codes List

 TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Ross Greenwood.

Business Now, Sky News

Subject: Supermarket inquiry, Federal…

… apply pressure on smaller suppliers. And if so, what can be done about it? Well, one organisation that will hear these … cost. You might have to wait two years before you get your time to argue your case. And then there is that risk that if … you’ve been working with small business for such a long time and many thanks for your time today. Bruce Billson Good …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

For small businesses, it’s a season to be … prepared!

Originally published in Convenience World Magazine and Business Builders

Over the past few years, Australia has endured an onslaught of natural disasters. Floods, storms, cyclones and bushfires have devastated communities, and the impact on too…

… For small businesses, it’s a season to be … prepared! 10 December 2025 Originally published in … has been just as severe. These warmer months can be peak season for natural disasters, just as for many small … brings with it Australia’s natural disasters, now is the time to prepare. If you are a small business owner, start …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Small business problems with digital platforms; being locked out of social media accounts; fake reviews

 

TRANSCRIPT

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Casey Briggs.

ABC TV News Channel

Subjects: Small business problems…

… about what they can do to help. But in the end of the day, Casey, the back swing might be nice. It's all about the … processes - the test is what actually happens.  And by the time people get to us, they are frustrated beyond belief and … is just the start of it, and there are matters such as payment for ad spends or where other customers on your …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS GETTING OLDER

Australia’s small business owners are rapidly getting older as the proportion of younger entrepreneurs shrinks, according to research from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Bruce Billson said the most…

… actually twice as many small business owners aged between 30 and 49 as there were aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The … with only 8 per cent of small business owners aged under 30. It is half the peak for this age group of 17 per cent … understand why it is not as appealing as it perhaps should be for younger Australians to own a small business?” More …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

Big business may take this for granted, but it's still out of reach for many small business owners

Originally published in The Canberra Times

By Bruce Billson

Justice. The word itself carries weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair, and if wronged, justice will serve, and things will be right.

But for many…

… weight. It has responsibility. It implies things will be fair, and if wronged, justice will serve, and things will be right. But for many small businesses, access to justice … wronged. On top of the mental anguish and distress and time taken away from running the business, the cost and …

Media Centre item
Op-ed
ASBFEO Live

Rising cost of small business insurance

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Eddie Williams.

ABC Radio South-East NSW

Subject: rising cost of small business insurance

Eddie Williams

Insurance…

… business at the moment?  Bruce Billson  Eddie, good to be with you and your listeners. It's having an enormous … events is really being challenged at the present time. But I suppose the other point too, which is a little … action stations everywhere and that sometimes is not the time to be really planning for those sorts of events. You're …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

TRANSCRIPT: Creating a Small Business and Codes List for the Federal Circuit Court

TRANSCRIPT

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

2CC Radio Canberra

Subject: Creating a Small Business and Codes List…

… Leon, sometimes those dark clouds for a small business can be another business treating them appallingly and in some … know, duelling with the other expert and burns up costs, time and resources and doesn't get you anywhere near an early … case.  Leon Delaney Bruce, thanks very much for your time today.      …

Media Centre item
Transcript
ASBFEO Live

Budget Brief 2024-25

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s federal Budget offers targeted measures to help small and family business deal with current pain points and headwinds.

“Small and family businesses facing…

… community. “Matching last year’s Budget, the money will be deducted from the power bills of one million eligible … It is vitally important that small business owners take time to focus on their own mental and financial wellbeing and … improve the uptake of eInvoicing, the effectiveness of the payment times reporting framework and implementation of …

Media Centre item
Media Releases
ASBFEO Live

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

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