… 01 September 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson It's been just over a week since the … for American customers can only enter with the verified payment of ever-changing tariffs; and small businesses were … to accept cash and foreshadowed changes to merchant card payment and surcharging rules. New climate reporting rules …

… Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small, family and farming businesses should urgently … calls and have data about who is currently paying the bill for use of that spectrum. As the 'most likely to know' … Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small, family and farming businesses should urgently …

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…

… 07 July 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson The first half of this year has been … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson The first half of this year has been …

… 23 June 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson What's going on for small business … these cash flow concerns and in the May ASBFEO Pulse, payment disputes continue to be the most common dispute managed by my office. In many of the payment dispute cases, the business customer has told the …

… The ASBFEO Small Business Pulse did not reflect a fall in 2020 as government support measures outweighed other economic … this quarter [3] . Small business owners continue to report that understanding insurance requirements and … this quarter [3] . Small business owners continue to report that understanding insurance requirements and …

… 15 September 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson It is big in the minds of many small … expressed by some small businesses, that AI tools can at times provide clearer, more readily implementable (but … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson It is big in the minds of many small …

… go bust 01 April 2024 Originally published in the Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small … Originally published in the Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. The latest report card on the economy will be no surprise to small …

… that conversation work.  And after the travails of recent times, the reserves of emotional responsiveness and cash … that conversation work.  And after the travails of recent times, the reserves of emotional responsiveness and cash …

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…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, is encouraging all Australians to celebrate National Family Business Day on Thursday 19 September.

“It’s a great moment to reflect on the crucial role family-owned…

… small businesses stay afloat in these challenging times,” Mr Billson says. “The banks’ commitment to support … when seeking to navigate these challenging and uncertain times “I would encourage all small businesses owners who are … in good standing with repayments up-to-date or there’s a payment program in place. “It’s encouraging to see our banks …

… needs. We're also here to provide some help at challenging times. On My Business Health website, there's some tools … needs. We're also here to provide some help at challenging times. On My Business Health website, there's some tools …

… 09 December 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Over the past five years there have … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Over the past five years there have …

… understand exactly what they will do for you and at what times and that you are both clear on the cost, including any … understand exactly what they will do for you and at what times and that you are both clear on the cost, including any …

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has welcomed ASIC’s announcement that they have cancelled or suspended Australian credit licences for failing to be a member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (…

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has welcomed the expansion of subsidised legal advice for eligible small and family businesses to support more effective engagement in dispute resolution processes.

The…

… aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The Intergenerational Report being released by the Treasurer this week highlights … aged over 50,” Mr Billson said. “The Intergenerational Report being released by the Treasurer this week highlights …

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…

… costs? 21 July 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Competition laws will work better for … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Competition laws will work better for …

Opinion piece by the Ombudsman Bruce Billson.

Originally published in the Daily Telegraph.

Small business is a big deal. But not as big as it used to be. Economic contribution has dropped from 40 per cent to 33 per cent since 2006 and share…

… 31 March 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson More and more women are creating new … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson More and more women are creating new …

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…

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…

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…

Family owned businesses play a crucial role in the economy and our communities. Some of Australia’s most successful businesses are family businesses. They are also some of the most enduring, over generations, building a legacy in name and value to the…

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…

… Mutual Fund. Why a Discretionary Mutual Fund is needed Our report called The Show Must Go On and subsequent further … was a rise in the number of insurance issues after the 2020 bushfires, mainly regarding property and related public … to obtain and risk appetites are low. In its 2022 annual report the Insurance Council of Australia indicated it would …

… 14 April 2025 Originally Published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Vibrant, culturally and linguistically … 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 …

… resilience 26 May 2025 Originally posted in the Canberra Times It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what … Originally posted in the Canberra Times It is pleasing to see so much recent attention on what …