Access to funding has long been an issue for small business, but there is hope on the horizon, writes Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. In September, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg revealed a plan to overhaul current lending laws aimed at removing onerous barriers to small businesses applying for loans. Since… Read more »
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell says the Federal Government’s 2020 Budget is one for the history books, with a record spend that will help lift small businesses out of the COVID crisis and provide a much-needed boost to economic confidence. New, extended and existing measures to further support small business… Read more »
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described the upcoming Federal Budget as “the most significant since the second world war”, writes Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell. The COVID crisis has plunged Australia into the worst trading conditions we have seen in living memory, Small businesses are among the biggest casualties, but they… Read more »
The PM Scott Morrison has announced an $800 million funding injection to assist businesses to take advantage of digital technology. At first glance, this seems like a massive digital push for small business, however, a closer look shows much of the promised funding has already been accounted for. Supercharged online database to minimise red tape… Read more »
September 18 is National Family Business Day. Usually, the day is a cause for celebration, however with the coronavirus crisis crippling businesses all across Australia, now more than ever, family businesses need our support. Small businesses are said to be the backbone of Australia’s economy if so, family business is the heart. That’s why now… Read more »
On National Family Business Day, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell is calling for Australians to show their support for local businesses. Carnell says family businesses have been hit hard by the COVID crisis and the sector needs to be supported as it emerges from the fallout of the pandemic, The… Read more »
My office has been overwhelmed by the public response to our Insurance Inquiry in August, with hundreds of small businesses sharing their experiences with insurance providers as part of our extensive consultation process. More than 800 surveys were completed by small businesses and over 20 submissions have been received by industry stakeholders. It goes to… Read more »
So the Morrison government has extended its insolvency protections for small business owners impacted by COVID. That’s a good thing, right? While small business advocates are heralding the announcement as a win for businesses owners, allowing them temporary relief from bankruptcy, there are some concerns the protections are propping up zombie businesses. Extended insolvency protections… Read more »
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed legislation passed in the Senate to implement the Payment Times Reporting Scheme, requiring big businesses to be transparent about their payment times. Prior to the coronavirus crisis, late payment times were already crippling small businesses. Independent research by East & Partners on behalf… Read more »
New research by the Grattan Institue makes it clear that if Australia wants a speedy economic recovery post-COVID-19, the key is affordable childcare and working women. The new report Cheaper childcare: a practical plan to boost female workforce participation estimates that overhauling the childcare subsidy scheme and providing more affordable childcare would add $11 billion… Read more »
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed changes to the JobKeeper eligibility criteria, saying it will help support more businesses, particularly those in Victoria facing the impact of tighter restrictions. The changes to the eligibility test outlined by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg this morning mean businesses are only required to demonstrate a… Read more »
As Victoria endures the second wave of COVID-19, it’s downright devastating for the small businesses at the coalface of this crisis writes Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell. To have been through the first round of restrictions, only to have to close or significantly reduce your operations again a couple of months… Read more »
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