The inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO), Kate Carnell AO, has started her five year appointment by asking small business owners for their feedback.
As part of her role, which she began on 11 March, Carnell will act as the Commonwealth advocate for small businesses, facilitate dispute resolution, and contribute to small business Commonwealth laws and regulations.
To ensure the ASBFEO is truly representative of the industry’s needs, Carnell’s office will conduct a formal consultation period asking small businesses, family enterprises and representative associations what they think the key issues are and what they want the ASBFEO to focus on.
“I encourage all small businesses and family enterprises to see myself and my office as their conduit to government,” says Carnell.
“Even after this formal consultation period has closed, we want to continue to hear from small businesses and family enterprises about what they think we could be doing to better support them.”
Carnell brings 15 years’ experience as a small business owner to the ASBFEO role, and was also the ACT Chief Minister for five years.
“My previous experience, including as a small business owner, and working in industry associations representing small businesses and family enterprises, has given me a keen appreciation for the issues faced by the sector,” she says.
“To build on this, and as the inaugural Ombudsman representing this important constituency, I want to spend time listening to the sector about what they want from this role.
“I would like to make sure that small business and family enterprise have a very strong voice inside all parts of government to ensure that regulations and laws are business friendly.”
During the consultation period you can share your ideas at www.asbfeo.gov.au.
By Ruth Cooper
