March
The shrinking small business ombudsman
While politely ignoring Bruce Billson, the government is handing Craig Emerson more appointments than a bulk-billing doctor.
- Myriam Robin
June 2023
Liberals split with Peter Dutton on Voice
Former Liberal leaders Mike Baird and Kate Carnell have described the proposal as a simple and straightforward proposal to recognise Indigenous Australians.
- Tom McIlroy
July 2021
- Exclusive
- Gig economy
Can tech stop the NDIS cost blowout?
Kate Carnell, AO, has joined the board of an online support services marketplace, which she says can help keep down costs in aged-care and disability sectors.
- John Davidson
March 2021
- Exclusive
- Banking Summit
Billson calls on APRA, ASIC to clarify lending rules
Bank caution on business lending could be rectified if APRA and ASIC provided guidance that retail banking standards don’t need to be applied to SME loans, says the new small business ombudsman.
- James Eyers
Billson sees the light on franchisor penalties
We promised to keep an eye on how the new ombudsman dealt with the many tricky policy areas likely to bring him into conflict with his former employer.
- Myriam Robin
COSBOA thrilled Bruce Billson’s back
‘We couldn’t really think of anyone else we’d rather in the role,’ says Peter Strong. Go figure.
- Myriam Robin
Stop the penalties for first tax offences: Kate Carnell
The tax ombudsman says the Tax Office should permanently end its heavy-handed approach to debt collection from small businesses.
- Tom McIlroy
February 2021
- Exclusive
- Liberal Party
Bruce Billson to replace Kate Carnell as Small Business Ombudsman
The former minister was censured by Parliament for failing to declare an outside salary from the Franchise Council of Australia.
- Tom McIlroy and Ronald Mizen
- Opinion
- Franchising
Private bill proposes to lift penalties for franchise sector
Labor senator Deborah O’Neill is pushing a private senators’ bill in an attempt to reform franchising.
- Adele Ferguson
Vaccine rollout contingencies ready to quash new clusters
Health authorities would use vaccine stocks to “ring” new virus clusters or major outbreaks.
- Tom McIlroy
January 2021
- Exclusive
- Coronavirus pandemic
Small business nursing a new year hangover: Carnell
With JobKeeper cut and a flare-up in coronavirus cases, the small business ombudsman warns many SMEs will struggle in 2021 amid bank conservatism and red tape.
- James Eyers
December 2020
Post-bushfire insurance crisis 'killing' businesses: Carnell
Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell has called for government intervention in the insurance sector, saying many insurers have stopped covering small businesses for bushfires and other natural hazards.
- James Fernyhough
'Failure': Small Business Ombudsman calls for arbitration reform
The remit of the Federal Circuit Court should be expanded and arbitration processes streamlined to help small businesses, the Ombudsman says.
- Finbar O'Mallon
November 2020
Big businesses face new penalties for unfair contracts
The long-awaited shake-up is aimed at stopping big companies from squeezing small business partners.
- John Kehoe
September 2020
Defer superannuation rise for two years: Kate Carnell
The small business ombudsman says a two-year deferral and cuts to super taxes would help save jobs in the COVID-19 recession.
- Tom McIlroy
SME corona-lenders charging 18pc and up
Specialist lenders approved for the coronavirus SME loan program are charging credit card-style interest rates.
- James Frost
July 2020
Insurers investigated over small business treatment
The small business ombudsman will launch an inquiry into Australian insurers' treatment of small business, saying it has evidence they are ratcheting up premiums.
- James Fernyhough
AMP faces probe on Pahari promotion, planner treatment
Labor Senator Deborah O'Neill has lodged a formal request for an "immediate inquiry" into AMP's corporate culture.
- Aleks Vickovich
May 2020
Banks warned: Don't pull the plug too early
Small business ombudsman Kate Carnell says banks need to remain flexible with struggling borrowers who may not recover until late 2021.
- James Frost
February 2020
- Opinion
- Private equity
The business growth fund with 'patient capital'
The government, small business and the banks are backing a new business growth fund, which many warn could be counterproductive and unfair.
- Jennifer Hewett
