(9 March 2026 – Australia) The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has urged the Federal Government to deliver practical, targeted measures in the Budget to reduce costs, restore confidence and remove barriers that are holding back Australia’s small businesses.
The ASBFEO’s submission calls for government action to improve the operating environment for Australia’s small businesses and family enterprises. The Ombudsman Bruce Billson said ensuring small and family business access to affordable insurance cover and the support they need from governments at all levels will also help improve the enterprise environment.
“Small business is central to economic dynamism, productivity, living standards, competition and innovation. Yet for many owners, running a small business has become harder than it needs to be. Small businesses are doing the heavy lifting in every town and suburb. They are the strength and vitality of local communities but too many are being worn down by costs, complexity and unfair practices they cannot control. This Budget is an opportunity for government to shift from short-term fixes to practical, lasting reforms that make it easier to start, run, grow and transform a small business” Mr Billson commented.
“We need to make the enterprise environment better for small business and family enterprises to innovate and invest in their business, to continue to grow and thrive. Low-cost ways government can do this now include establishing transparent merchant fee structures and the ability for small businesses to recover the reasonable costs of processing electronic payments where least cost routing is unavailable” Mr Billson added.
The current Victorian Small Business Commissioner, Lynda McAlary-Smith, is set to take over from Mr Billson as the new ASBFEO at the conclusion of his five year term this month.