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Paper identifies ways to simplify the workplace relations system for the small business sector
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has released a position paper identifying ways to reduce the complexity of the workplace relations system for small businesses. “We have had significant consultations with small businesses over the last two years and the overwhelming view is the legislation is far too complicated for the […]
Ombudsman calls for small businesses to share examples of ‘heavy handed tactics’ by the ATO
Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has encouraged business owners to urgently contact her office if they have experienced “heavy handed tactics” by the Australian Taxation Office. The Ombudsman, together with the inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi, has been directed by the Treasury to examine cases of unfair conduct the ATO. The investigation, […]
New inquiry into international initiatives that provide SMEs affordable access to capital
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has commenced an inquiry into international initiatives designed to address the funding gap for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). [Related: Small Business Ombudsman calls for Govt to consider UK approach to boosting SME finance, Major barriers to SME investment explored by new report from […]
ASIC report provides small business lenders with guidance on unfair contract terms laws
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released a report detailing changes made by the big four banks to remove unfair terms from their small business loan contracts of up to $1 million. The report, Unfair contract terms and small business loans, also provides detailed guidance to bank and non-bank small business lenders about compliance with […]
New Financial Complaints Authority will improve small businesses access to justice
The passage of legislation establishing the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) will result in small businesses having access to “free, fast and binding” dispute resolution, according to Small Business Minister Craig Laundy. The Treasury Laws Amendment (Putting Consumers First – Establishment of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority) Bill establishes a one-stop shop for the resolution […]
Small businesses urged to air grievances with the Royal Commission into the banking sector
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has encouraged small businesses that have suffered from ‘questionable conduct’ by the banks to tell the Royal Commission into misconduct in the banking industry, now underway. Regarding the Royal Commission, Carnell told Dynamic Business that she’d like to see small businesses share examples of “scenarios […]
Committee endorses visa worker levy but Kate Carnell warns of angst for small businesses
A Senate committee has deemed it ‘wholly appropriate’ that employers pay a levy to access overseas workers; however, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, considers this “another blow” for small businesses. [Related article: Federal Budget: foreign worker tax introduced] In October, last year, the Federal Government introduced the Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians […]
The ‘quest for stability’ in the financial system is detrimental to SME growth, says Ombudsman
The benefits small businesses derive from a competitive financial system are being reduced by the regulators in their “quest for stability”, the Productivity Commission (PC) has found. The finding, contained in a draft PC report titled Competition in the Australian Financial System, is supported by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate […]
Accountants urge government to legislate against the late payment of small businesses
The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has called for the Federal Government to improve the financial outlook of SMEs by introducing a loan guarantee scheme and legislating maximum payment times for business-to-business transactions. In its 2018 pre-Budget submission, the IPA – a professional accounting body representing 35,000 accountants, business advisers, academics and students – made […]
Revised Banking Code leaves small businesses vulnerable to penalties, says the Ombudsman
Despite containing some positive initiatives for small business, the revised Banking Code of Practice hasn’t resolved issues with power imbalance and dispute resolution, according to Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell. The Ombudsman was consulted on a draft version of the code, provided to ASIC this week for approval; however, she said she […]
Small Business Ombudsman unveils register promoting best practice in B2B payments
Businesses are being encouraged to promote their commitment to good payment time practices by signing up to the National Payment Transparency Register, established this week by the Australia Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). The Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, first called for a national register in her report into payment times and practices, published in […]
Turnbull Government paying 60% of its small business invoices within 20 days, report shows
Federal Government agencies are paying 96% of their small business contractors within thirty days of receiving an invoice, according to a new report. Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack said the latest Pay On-Time report also found agencies were paying 60% of invoices up to $1 million within 20 days, and that the overall results […]
Major barriers to SME investment explored by new report from Small Business Ombudsman
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has today released a study into factors impacting small to medium enterprise investment. According to Ombudsman Kate Carnell, SME investment is being impeded by limited access to capital as well as red tape and energy prices and that removing these barriers would “give them confidence to grow […]
One in two small businesses relying on new protections against unfair contract terms
A survey of 1280 SME operators has found that nearly half (49.6%) had relied on unfair contract terms legislation, implemented last year, to negotiate fairer terms with big businesses during the past six months. Conducted by East & Partners, the SME Transaction Banking survey also showed that nearly four in five respondents (78.2%) were aware […]
ACCC has improved ‘tens of thousands’ of contracts for SMES since November 2016
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) says its only at the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in terms of its efforts to ensure small businesses are not subject to unfair contract terms. Since 12 November last year, when unfair contract terms laws were extended to small business contracts, the ACCC has taken successful court action […]
Rising energy costs curtailing SME growth; Ombudsman blames price gouging, politics
Research showing that SMEs are reducing capital expenditure due to rising energy prices has prompted criticism of the state governments by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. The Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, pointed to the latest East & Partners SME survey* of 1280 businesses, which showed that 39.5% of SMES plan to scale back […]
Top tips to get your SMB paid by EOFY
Getting paid: one of the toughest issues every small business owner faces. As if building a great reputation, creating a stellar client list and securing sales isn’t hard enough – sometimes weeks go by and business owners are still waiting to see the money in the bank. Last year, data from MarketInvoice highlighted Australia as one of the […]