The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business body including some 300,000 small businesses, today welcomed Small Business Minister Bruce Billson’s announcement confirming the creation of a Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman with stronger powers.
ACCI Chief Operating Officer, John Osborn, said “small business wants an Ombudsman with teeth and is very pleased the government is delivering on this important campaign promise.”
“Giving the Ombudsman stronger powers was a key policy priority in the very successful chamber led Small Business, Too Big to Ignore campaign prior to the 2013 Federal Election.”
“What we need is someone with stronger powers to help resolve disputes, and a capacity to shape policy at the Commonwealth level while fighting red-tape.”
“Although we need to see the final details, the chamber strongly supports the creation of an Ombudsman with a well-defined area of responsibility who is a strong and independent advocate for the more than two million small and family businesses in Australia.”