February 2021 Update from ASBFEO & Small Biz Matters With special guest Kate Carnell the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman

Small Biz Matters

Small Biz Matters – #196 Providing the small business community with educational content and advocacy since 2014 with Alexi Boyd, broadcaster, advocate and small business owner. Date: 14 February 2021

Small Biz Matters is proud to announce our ongoing collaboration with the Australian Small Business and Family Enterpris­­e Ombudsman through regular updates from Kate Carnell about all ASBFEO is doing to advocate and support small businesses.

In the fourth third of the series Kate Carnell will update us about ASBFEO’s response to the crisis facing small business. This week we’re updating you on:

• Insolvency changes and access to funding for small business since 1Jan2021
• Temporary restructuring relief - how to get started
• Why should small businesses familiarise themselves with the Personal Property Securities Register?
• Access to credit after JobKeeper and how will small businesses cope with its removal?
• What about those businesses looking to hire additional staff – what do they need to know about JobMaker Hiring Credit

Kate Carnell, as an independent advocate for small business owners, has the legislative power to influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow and in these times, survive.

• A lot has happened since January 1 – rules around insolvency have changed for one – what do small businesses need to know?
• Let’s talk about temporary restructuring relief. What is it and how do small businesses get started?
• There’s a lot of talk about a steep rise in insolvencies this year. Why should small businesses familiarise themselves with the Personal Property Securities Register?
• JobKeeper is being phased out and that will no doubt put struggling small businesses under pressure – how important is access to credit? (Kate to talk about revenue contingent loan scheme)
• What about those businesses looking to hire additional staff – what do they need to know? (Kate to talk about JobMaker Hiring Credit)

To find out more go to their website: https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/

About our Guest:

The Ombudsman - Kate Carnell

"In this role I will seek to bring together the many voices within the small business community in a way that promotes growth in this vital sector."

Kate Carnell is the inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).

As the ASBFEO, she is an independent advocate for small business owners. Her office has the legislative powers needed to effectively influence our nation’s lawmakers, ensuring legislation and regulations are put in place to help small businesses grow.

The ASBFEO office also provides small businesses and family enterprises with assistance should they find themselves involved in a business dispute.

Small businesses are the engine room of the economy; it’s a big reputation to live up to, so we need to do all we can to ensure they have the freedom to innovate, employ and thrive well into the future.

About ASBFEO

Australia is a nation of small businesses and family enterprises. It’s a dynamic and exciting sector that allows people with an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue their dreams.

One of the fastest growing in the economy, the sector presents many opportunities – and challenges – for those who dedicate themselves to pursing a small business venture.

The ASBFEO's role is to support small businesses and family enterprises to enable them to grow and thrive.

The ASBFEO was launched on 11 March 2016 and has two key functions: to assist and to advocate for small businesses and family enterprises.

ASSIST:

We understand the challenges facing small business owners. We provide access to dispute resolution services for those who may be involved in a disagreement, so they can try and find a solution to their problem without having to go to court.

ADVOCATE:

There are a number of different activities the Ombudsman may conduct in fulfilling the role of small business advocate. Broadly these include:

Conduct inquiries and research

Work with other arms of government

Contribute to other inquiries

Promote good business practice.