The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, says small, family and farming businesses should urgently make sure they are not caught out by the 3G switch-off happening in the next few weeks.
Mr Billson today…
… farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before … farm gates and many other wireless operating systems may be affected. Mr Billson emphasised that telecommunications … farming businesses take action to find out if they will be affected and if so, upgrade their technology before …
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Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses yet only one in four small businesses have a current business continuity plan, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.
“In…
… HAVE A DISASTER PLAN 12 January 2023 Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses yet only one … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story. An opt-in “My … denied support while others that gave far less attention, time, and effort to protect their own economic interests were …
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Laura Tchilinguirian.
ABC News Radio
Subject: Ombudsman’s guide for small business - using social media securely
Laura…
… about cyber hacks of late and often the targets seem to be small businesses who are also active online. So how can … chances of being hacked? Bruce Billson Laura, great to be with you and your listeners. There's a few things that … accounts that then see the hacker having a terrible time for people that you've been doing business with. So, …
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Small business owners are being urged by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, to be on high alert to the rising number of criminals who may try to impersonate their business or a government agency such as the…
… DON’T BE DUPED BY SCAM OPERATORS 27 November 2023 Small business … Office. Mr Billson said Scam Awareness Week was an ideal time for small business owners to take a few extra moments to … he said. “Scammers may sign you up for a single or monthly payment which they take from your credit card but they …
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Originally published in The Daily Telegraph
By Bruce Billson.
When a bushfire, storm, flood or other natural disaster strikes, small business owners are often the first to volunteer to fight fires, lay sandbags, assist with…
… a current business continuity plan. Natural disasters can be devastating for small and family businesses — either their … the impact on their town or region. Taking simple steps to be better prepared, sensible risk mitigation action and … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story. In the aftermath …
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The terrible floods and storms causing great trauma for parts of the country should be a red alert for small business to be prepared for natural disasters, warns the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.
Mr…
… SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR NATURAL DISASTERS 22 January 2024 The terrible … causing great trauma for parts of the country should be a red alert for small business to be prepared for natural … be adopted to save small business owners the trauma and time associated with repeating their story.” Mr Billson said …
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15 October 2024
TRANSCRIPT
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Deb Knight.
Money News
Subject:…
… welcome back to Money News. Bruce Billson Deb, fab to be with you and your listeners. Deb Knight So, we know … Billson That's probably right. But I get out of bed each day championing the cause of small and family businesses. My … that hack into your account to use your credit card, your payment facilities, to push out crypto ads that are bogus, …
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with David Dowsett.
ABC Radio Wide Bay
Subject: Small business…
… there's likely no business, small or large, that will not be impacted. So, what can a small business do now to ensure … look like? Bruce Billson Well, it means taking the time to think about what are those risks, what are those … David Dowsett Some top tips indeed. Bruce, appreciate your time this morning, thanks a lot. …
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Nicole Overall
Unsurprisingly and sadly, more and more small businesses are falling victim to ever more sophisticated cyber-attacks. So, what's to be done? Well, to explore some potential solutions, I have on the line now Bruce…
… to ever more sophisticated cyber-attacks. So, what's to be done? Well, to explore some potential solutions, I have on … And the customer is expecting this invoice. This is a part payment on a house renovation, or a deposit on some travel or … right. Frankly, this is one of the big challenges of our time as a society, as well as an economy, that some of the …
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Leon Delaney.
Radio 2CC Canberra
17 January 2024
Leon…
… Billson, good afternoon. Bruce Billson Leon, great to be with you and your listeners. Leon Delaney I'm far from … bit of a barney going on and people thinking, I'd like to be getting value for money out of out of this service like I … their provider wisely. We're encouraging them to take the time to talk to existing clients, to talk about the …
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The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of a review of the effectiveness of the regulatory framework that underpins the positive commercial…
… in the Australian franchise economy. The review, to be chaired by former ACCC Deputy Commissioner, Dr … Australian economy, and franchising, when done well, can be a terrific mode of entrepreneurship,” Mr Billson said. … help to ensure the framework is fit-for-purpose at this time of change and dynamism in the small business economy. …
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Telecommunications is an essential service and vital for so many small businesses and the absence of this service has a significant economic cost, says the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson.
“The response by…
… by Optus that the loss for a small business is $2 a day. This is what Optus charges for their services, not what … businesses in lost income and customers. “More needs to be done to acknowledge this impact on the livelihoods of our … by a big business. They deserve respect and not to be treated in such a shabby way by Optus.” MEDIA CONTACT: …
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the returning Government’s new Ministry with the Hon Dr Anne Aly appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Small Business.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed Dr…
… to further support small and family business at a time when many are reporting really challenging trading … to further support small and family business at a time when many are reporting really challenging trading …
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The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman’s website – www.asbfeo.gov.au - is now available in more than 100 languages to better assist migrant-led small and family business owners and managers.
“One in three small businesses…
… “I hope this new feature on our website, which can be activated by one simple click, will make it easier for … In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.” The translation feature is clearly located … In almost two-thirds of these cases, the issue was about a payment dispute.” The translation feature is clearly located …
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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)…
… supply chain for large businesses or government, they may be asked to provide this information, especially if they are … a guide to help SMEs understand what information they may be asked by larger businesses they supply to, regarding their … within their business. “I encourage SMEs to take the time to read the guide and become familiar with …
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Supermarket Inquiry report confirms that the supermarket sector is highly concentrated and unduly challenging for small business suppliers, says the Australian Small Business and Family…
… independent retailers have been losing market share over time. The ASBFEO’s experience accords with the ACCC’s … family business economy back on the right trajectory, to be able to fully realise its potential to contribute to … independent retailers have been losing market share over time. The ASBFEO’s experience accords with the ACCC’s …
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The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson says tonight’s 2025-26 Federal Budget was ‘the sequel’ to last year’s, offering modest targeted measures to help small and family business deal with specific current pain…
… in ASBFEO’s 14 steps to energise enterprise at this time of a surge in insolvencies, a reduction in the economic … taking on their first employee. “Small business needs to be front of mind for our policy makers and regulators. We … said. “Broad consultation with small businesses will be important to ensure that the proposed banning of …
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The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has enthusiastically welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to introduce protections for small and family businesses harmed by unfair business trading practices.
…… into ‘a take it or leave it’ contract they would likely be in breach of the unfair contract terms laws. But by not … into ‘a take it or leave it’ contract they would likely be in breach of the unfair contract terms laws. But by not …
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Dusty Fitzpatrick.
2BS Bathurst
Subject: Don’t be a 3G switch-off casualty
Dusty Fitzpatrick
The Australian Small…
… Don't be a 3G switch-off casualty 31 May 2024 Australian Small … with Dusty Fitzpatrick. 2BS Bathurst Subject: Don’t be a 3G switch-off casualty Dusty Fitzpatrick The Australian … this afternoon. Bruce, as always, thank you for your time. Bruce Billson Good to be with you Dusty. …
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ASBFEO Live
August 2025
Key highlights:Conditions for small businesses continue to improve. The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse increased by 0.6% in August 2025 – the second consecutive quarterly increase. Over the past 12 months it has increased 0.2%.This…… workers, people with disability, and providing part-time and flexible working arrangements has increased [2] . … workers, people with disability, and providing part-time and flexible working arrangements has increased [2] . …
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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…
… the recommendation for a clear statement of purpose to be inserted into the Code to explicitly state why it exists … are advantages in introducing a licence system, it will be important to examine why existing safeguards and better … the Government to consider how a revised Code could be more effectively enforced. “We have proposed the …
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Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson interview with Stephen Cenatiempo.
Radio 2CC Canberra
Subject: Supermarket inquiry, Federal…
… good to talk to you again. Bruce Billson Steve, happy to be with you and your listeners. Stephen Cenatiempo This this … state so there were bumper rails around things that could be asked of suppliers and the supermarkets, clearly with a … sense. Bruce, always good to talk to you. Appreciate your time this morning. Bruce Billson Thanks, Steve. …
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