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…

… “Dr Schaper has produced a well-researched and thoughtful report for the Australian Government and we support the report and the majority of his sensible recommendations to … “Dr Schaper has produced a well-researched and thoughtful report for the Australian Government and we support the …

… respect 10 June 2024 Originally published in the Canberra Times. Australia's small businesses have been treated in a … Originally published in the Canberra Times. Australia's small businesses have been treated in a …

… has been heard,” Mr Billson said.  “The latest chilling report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre is that a … details.  “The unsuspecting customer is expecting the bill and probably knows the amount they have to pay so when … their digital infrastructure and the criminals demand a payment for to access your own information.”   Mr Billson …

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…

…   Mr Billson also urged the independent review of the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice, now under way, to …   Mr Billson also urged the independent review of the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice, now under way, to …

… Business Pulse did not reflect a COVID-related fall in 2020 as government support measures outweighed other economic … from a culturally and linguistically diverse background report less confidence in finding business information than … from a culturally and linguistically diverse background report less confidence in finding business information than …

… get this wrong”. But even big businesses struggle at times to get all things right.  So just imagine how difficult … five requests for help from a small business relate to a payment dispute. Too often that first party that is slow to … five requests for help from a small business relate to a payment dispute. Too often that first party that is slow to …

… there is currently no obligation for small business to report information relating to their GHG emissions, if SMEs … there is currently no obligation for small business to report information relating to their GHG emissions, if SMEs …

… 03 February 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson Digital tools have transformed the … at lightning speed through e-invoicing, and electronic payment systems allow for that invoice to be paid (hopefully) … be suspended, false charge-backs leaving sellers without payment or their product, overseas competitors claiming …

… least cost routing. “The Treasurer’s urging of the RBA’s Payment Systems Board to consider mandating the dual-network … and family enterprises paying more than they need to for payment services. “For too long, small businesses have been … with larger retailers able to bypass full fees by using payment systems directly or by having the market power to …

… that are squeezing margins will welcome the modest energy bill relief of $325,” Mr Billson said. “Every saving helps … improve the uptake of eInvoicing, the effectiveness of the payment times reporting framework and implementation of franchise … improve the uptake of eInvoicing, the effectiveness of the payment times reporting framework and implementation of …

… us 09 June 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson ASBFEO recently released our fourth … seeing increasing numbers of requests for assistance with payment disputes. This type of dispute, that often leaves a … the lights on. Small business owners have continued to report in this quarter how difficult it is to navigate the …

… to fight the attacks. After this had happened several times, the business contacted ASBFEO, and a dedicated case … to fight the attacks. After this had happened several times, the business contacted ASBFEO, and a dedicated case …

… productivity 29 September 2025 Published in the Canberra Times . Of the businesses in Australia, 97 per cent of them … in a value chain with a large entity that is required to report on their sustainability practices and climate-related … cashflow concerns, digital impacts, cyber threats, poor payment times and an ever-changing business landscape. The …

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,…

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 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…

… Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. I fear we are sleepwalking into a "big corporate" … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business … workplace obligations to employees, meet tax reporting and payment obligations in a timely way and pay small business …

… 20 January 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson The "dirty boots people" is what one … and family businesses and at these challenging economic times, more need to know how we can help. At a time when most … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson The "dirty boots people" is what one …

… justice 29 April 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. Every small business deserves the … Originally published in The Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. Every small business deserves the …

… Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. The public rightly expects any personal information … handling personal information need to evolve with the times. That is why my office has been working with the … the business's ability to operate. The latest chilling report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre is that a …

… Bruce Billson. Originally published in the Canberra Times. Small business is the beating heart of our communities … increased, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels. Payment disputes are often an early warning sign of cash flow … increased, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels. Payment disputes are often an early warning sign of cash flow …

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…

… margins will welcome the continuation of modest energy bill relief,” Mr Billson said.  “Cost-of living increases are … margins will welcome the continuation of modest energy bill relief,” Mr Billson said.  “Cost-of living increases are …

… 15 April 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. It is often said small business is … Originally published in The Canberra Times. By Bruce Billson. It is often said small business is …

… 03 March 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson The ASBFEO February Small Business … weak and challenging. High business input costs, lengthy payment times and difficulty finding suitable staff continue … Two in five cases that come to my office involve a payment dispute and it continues to be the biggest issue, …

… urgency 17 March 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson With election talk building and … Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson With election talk building and …

… and men 12 May 2025 Originally published in The Canberra Times By Bruce Billson As we return to business as usual … will stand to benefit from the additional modest energy bill relief and targeted tax cuts for sole traders, … annual rate of 3.4 per cent over the three years between 2020-21 to 2023-24. Over this period, the health care and …

… 13 May 2024 Originally published in The Canberra Times. Digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way … turn ads on or off and can remove or update advertising payment information. Have your account/s set up so the … users require full admin access. And if you are hacked, report your issue immediately to the platform and make sure …