Office of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman opens for business

Kate Carnell is currently establishing the office of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and wants to hear from small businesses to assist her office to establish an advocacy agenda for small business and family enterprise is Australia.

Kate Carnell said she’s been encouraged by the positive response to her appointment as the nation’s first Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and wants to spend some time listening to Australians about what they expect from her office.

“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,” said Ms Carnell. “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.”

“My office will conduct a formal consultation period asking small businesses, family enterprises and representative associations to tell us what they think the key issues are, and what they want us to focus on as their advocate.”

The Ombudsman’s website at www.asbfeo.gov.au includes a discussion paper and link to an interactive online platform established for sharing ideas, which will be live for the duration of the consultation period.

“I encourage all small businesses and family enterprises to see myself and my office as their conduit to government.” said Ms 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.”

“Once the formal consultation period concludes, we will look to publish our first advocacy agenda and forward work plan reflecting the results of our discussions with the sector.”