#Ombudsman
Small business procurement panel essential to economic recovery
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell says small businesses will play a critical role in the post COVID economic recovery, calling on the federal government to establish a small business procurement panel. The panel, proposed in ASBFEO’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, would require Government contracts with a value of up to $10 […]
Ombudsman supports Business Growth Fund for high growth SMEs
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell today welcomed the announcement of an Australian Business Growth Fund, a recommendation in the ASBFEO’s Affordable Capital for SME Growth report. “Our report identified the need to address a critical funding gap for long-term, patient capital to enable our up-and-coming, high growth potential small […]
Small businesses will have dedicated Telecommunications Ombudsman Team
The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman is pleased to announce the formation of a Small Business Team, commencing 1 April 2019 In the 2017 to 2018 period, complaints from small businesses increased 8.7 per cent to a 20,433 total. This increase was largely driven by issues including no action or delayed action by their service provider to resolve their […]
Let’s Talk: The 38 hour work week
Is the 38 hour work week hindering productivity?
Ombudsman disappointed, welcomes ABA Banking Code of Practice
New ABA Banking Code of Practice.
Ombudsman: Australia behind the eight ball for small business
Is Australia behind for small businesses?
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 […]
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 […]
Exploitation claims send Ombudsman to Bundaberg
A team of workplace inspectors is in Bundaberg today to respond to allegations of exploitation of foreign workers on Queensland farms.
Half of companies breaching Fair Work Act
Audits of the Fair Work Ombudsman have found that almost half of companies audited found not compliant with workplace laws, with 62 percent failing in Tasmania.