Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose.

EP#259 ~ Unpacking the National Small Business Strategy with the Minister

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #259
Broadcast date: 25 Mar 2025
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Small Business and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The national small business strategy was released by the federal minister the Hon Julie Collins MP in Feb 2025. Treasury’s media release described as a Strategy to support Australia's nearly 2.6 million small businesses by streamlining processes, reducing duplication, and ensuring small businesses are front and centre in policy decisions.

It’s signed by all of the state and territory Small business ministers who promised to work more collaboratively together.

It was a rather quiet media release. Those that did take notice namely the professional associations like CPA Australia panned it as being a motherhood statement, lacking in detail and failing to solve any of the problems facing small businesses right now.

If small businesses are so critical to government policy, why do we continue to see a lack of action and practical solutions? What’s the purpose of having a framework that doesn’t offer anything new for Small business nor guarantee a more stable and predictable environment in which they can operate?

It’s the middle of budget week there’s a looming election. In her first long form interview on the national small business strategy, The honourable Julie Collins MP joins us today to unpack, explain and answer the critics’ concerns.

1. Tell us about the national small business strategy and why it’s so unique compared with what the government has done previously supports more business?
2. The positives in the report are that it acknowledges what’s currently not working and the driver behind the strategy which is harmonising regulation across the states. It’s also a set of principles on which future small business strategies can be built. Can you take that a step further and suggest what sort of regulations will be targeted as a priority?
3. Will the tangible policy changes that this strategy will hopefully bring out be led by the federal government or by states?
4. This report was described in the press release as ground breaking but has left a lot of the leaders in small business wanting. It speaks to motherhood statements without Indicating measurable outcomes. And there’s plenty of things that Small business has been asking for over the years. Would you agree there was a missed opportunity here to offer more practical actions in the strategy?
5. Small business moves fast and the environmental factors like the economy which small businesses must react to, even faster. Given the pace of small business evolution in Australia, why are the key decision makers, the small business ministers only meeting every 6 months?
6. Would you consider a working group that includes peak bodies in small business part of this process to really advise on what’s critical to small businesses in a more timely manner?
7. The success of this strategy heavily relies on cohesive approach by all small business ministers in all states. Given that you are a Labor government do you believe that this will continue with changes of government and changes of ministers.

To find out more about the National Small Business Strategy go to the Australia’s Treasury’s website - HERE

 

EP#257 ~ Meet Simon, master of his niche and an entrepreneur proudly making a difference

Small Biz Matters: Real Biz Stories ~ Episode #257        
Broadcast date: 11 March 2025
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Simon Potts Owner of Boxes for Business

Here on Small Biz Matters Real Biz Stories we’re bringing you small business success stories designed to inspire, guide and give you the motivation to achieve your smallbiz dreams. From super heroes who can see the future of an industry or those real life heroes have overcome massive barriers to achieve their small business dreams. Today is one of those journeys.

I love talking to business owners who are passionate about their business but more than that, I love chatting to business owners who are passionate about all small businesses. Those that really want to make a difference. I consider them the real business leaders – not the ones with hundreds of thousands of followers and like the sound of their own voice but because they want to take their lived experience, their love of being their own boss and improve the business lives of others. They’re the advocates, the backers of business and they’re the ones politicians should be listening to.

So with the calling of the 2025 Federal election imminent, its time to start talking Real Biz Stories; small business is what makes this nation tick, so let’s start listening.

Today, we are joined live in the studio this week by an industry leader, Simon Potts. He’s master of his niche and an entrepreneur proudly making a difference. So stay with us and be ready to learn from some of the best minds in the business right here on Small Biz Matters: Real Biz Stories.

YOUR REAL BIZ STORY – Tell us about your business and why you started Boxes for Business?

Running a successful business, particularly in logistics in Australia is challenging. But you’ve managed to do this for over a decade...What keeps you going?

LESSONS LEARNED – Hindsight’s a wonderful thing. What would you tell your entrepreneurial self if you could go back in time? What’s the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love? What was the lesson you learned from COVID?

WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO? - Who do you call on when you need help and support?

WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? - What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner? What is the one policy the Government can change to make life easier and help you succeed?

Simon Potts – Small Business Owner Trying to Make a Difference

Simon Potts is an everyday small business owner whose firsthand experience with the challenges of running a business sparked his passion for supporting fellow entrepreneurs and speaking up for small businesses. As the managing director of Boxes for Business, he supplies businesses with quality cardboard boxes and practical packaging solutions, with a focus on sustainability.

Navigating business ownership has deepened his understanding of small business pressures and motivated him to engage in national policy discussions. He has appeared briefly on ABC’s Q&A and contributed to policy conversations by advocating to politicians for practical, business-friendly solutions and raising concerns with key business organisations, including Business NSW and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

Boxes for Business has been featured in a national CommBank campaign highlighting Australian small businesses and has, on occasion, supplied cardboard boxes for productions such as Celebrity Apprentice and My Kitchen Rules.

For more information, visit www.boxesforbusiness.com.au or connect with him on social media.

EP#256 ~ Meet Craig Rochat from Land of Plenty, a trailblazer in food manufacturing in Australia.

Small Biz Matters: RealBizStories ~ Episode #256        
Broadcast date: 25 Feb 2025
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Craig Rochat, Executive Director Land of Plenty Food Group

There has been a myriad of government incentives and schemes to bring back manufacturing in Australia, but for some successful businesses, it never really stopped. Those with the experience, tenacity, and the industry know how survived through the ups and the downs like Covid and have been forging the way for the new wave of Australian manufacturers to come after them. One of those industry leaders is Craig Rochat, the founder of Land of Plenty Food Group. He has been working in the industry for decades both internationally and here in Australia and puts all of his passion and experience into his successful business whilst also giving back to Australia’s food manufacturing industry; leading the way with innovations and change to make it better.

After watching so many of Australia’s small businesses flourish, and many of them disappear through the Covid period, what can be learned through the success stories like Land of Plenty? How do you survive a lockdown that affects not only your customer base, but your operations, and ability to even function your business and then emerge, thriving, taking those lessons from that crazy period to see continued growth?

To explain how he did just that we are joined live in the studio this week by an industry leader, Craig Rochat. Stay with us and be ready to learn from some of the best minds in the business right here on Small Biz Matters: Real Biz Stories.

Questions

Tell us about your business and why you started Land of Plenty?
Running a successful business, particularly in food manufacturing in Australia is challenging. What keeps you going?
What is the one policy the Government can change to make your business life easier and help you succeed?
What’s the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love?
Who do you call on when you need help and support?
What was the lesson you learned from COVID?
What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner?

About our Guest

Craig Rochat joined Lotus & Ming in January 2011, partnering with his wife and company founder, Karen Lavecky. Following a successful expansion and growth program the company re- branded in 2016 to become Land of Plenty Food Co.

Craig began his career in the Hospitality and Retail industry in South Africa, Craig trained and worked as a chef before moving into management. In 2003 Craig joined The Food Fund Management Group, heading operations in Australia, The UAE and South Africa. This was followed by a 4-year stint with AHL Group as head of Gold Class Cinemas and then 4 years with David Jones as the National Buyer for the David Jones Food-halls, before partnering in his own business.

Over the past 11 years Craig has driven the Land of Plenty business from strategic, operational and financial direction which is where his strength lies. The impact of covid was significant for the group with approximately 90% of customers forced to close in the 7 days post the first lockdown of March 2023. In conjunction with an Advisory Board, the group set about navigating the next 2 ½ years and developed an investment and acquisition strategy. It is from this strategy that the group delivered record sales revenue and profit.

About Land of Plenty Food Co

Is a gourmet food company, manufacturing premium handmade and high-volume life- style brands for both food service and retail. In addition to our branded ranges, we also provide a bespoke manufacturing service for franchise, big box and multi-location customers. Land of Plenty has recently embarked on a business expansion program through their “brands under management’ strategy to develop a distribution and investment business that runs concurrently with the main owned brand business. Find out more here

EP#255 ~ Meet Petko, the hospitality entrepreneur ahead of his time.

Small Biz Matters: RealBizStories ~ Episode #255        
Broadcast date: 11 Feb 2025
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Petko Petkov, FoodTech Founder of CHEFIN

Welcome to 2025! Here on Small Biz Matters we’re bringing you small business success stories designed to inspire, guide and give you the motivation to achieve your smallbiz dreams. There’s loads of stories of success out there from all corners of the small business community from those who can see into the future of the industry or those who have overcome massive barriers to achieve their small business dreams right here in Australia. Today is one of those stories.

Imagine being ahead of the curve. You can see the future for an industry but know that change and innovation takes time and you’re planning on bringing an entire trade along for the ride. You know your ideas are solid and the future... but others doubt your journey.

If you think small business is tough, imagine starting a hospitality business. And if you think hospitality  is tough, try doing breaking into an entirely new and innovative way of working in an industry!

That’s the story of Petko Petkov. He took a background managing global projects for industry global giants, partnered it with a passion for food and small business and turned it into an innovative tech baby. And that was long before apps and tech was a thing.

In the first episode for 2025 sit back and listen to a remarkable story of resilience, innovation and pure grit.  

YOUR REAL BIZ STORY – Tell us about your business and why you started Chefin?

Running a successful business, particularly in hospitality in Australia is challenging. What keeps you going?

LESSONS LEARNED – Hindsight’s a wonderful thing. What would you tell your entrepreneurial self if you could go back in time? What’s the biggest headache as a business owner and keeps you from doing what you love? What was the lesson you learned from COVID?

WHO DO YOU REACH OUT TO? - Who do you call on when you need help and support?

WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? - What do you think businesses can do to improve the sector as a whole. Do you feel that representative groups are helping to represent your needs as a business owner? What is the one policy the Government can change to make life easier and help you succeed?

About CHEFIN: Picture this: a world where every meal is an extraordinary experience crafted by talented chefs. Welcome to CHEFIN, a network of independent Chefs. By accessing top-tier culinary talent through the CHEFIN platform, individuals and businesses can create unforgettable dining experiences & deliver remarkable hospitality for their guests.

About our guest: Founder & CEO of CHEFIN, Petko boasts 15 years of Consumer Insights & Data experience. He has led sales & operations teams in 12 countries and managed global projects for companies like BP (Carrebean oil spill PR disaster response), Uber's strategic roll out in Asia Pacific, Google's acquisition of YouTube, Nokia's launch in Africa, various NPD projects for Mars, Unilever, Pfizer & Coca-Cola. Petko was part of the Australian launch of global opinion company YouGov Plc.

EP#254 ~ Fighting the bad influencers. How does ICAC keep politicians honest and why is this important for small businesses?

Small Biz Matters: People Policy Purpose ~ Episode #254        
Broadcast date: 4 Feb 2025
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Lewis Rangott, Executive Director, Corruption Prevention, ICAC

For those of us old enough to remember the 90’s, there used to be a political tagline – Keeping the Bastards Honest.  It belonged to a political party which has since disappeared but them became a popular slogan, used by media outlets when describing how to keep a watchful eye on those holding the purse-strings, those making decisions and those creating policy.

Even though that political party no longer exists, the question remains, Who does look after the integrity of our political system and keeps a watchful eye those who pull the levers governing in particular, business?

The vast majority of small businesses strive to be fair and equitable in their business practices, and we expect those in politics to behave the same way. But the reality is, just like some small businesses, they are also prone to turning a blind eye, the misuse of funds or power or dare I say it, corruption. We demand a level playing field in business and expect it from our political leaders too.

In NSW, the body dedicated to investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption in the NSW public sector is the Independent Commission Against Corruption or ICAC. They promote accountability and transparency in government decision-making by identifying corrupt practices and ensuring public officials act with integrity. But what’s that got to do with small business?

Well, their work helps level the playing field. By rooting out corruption in processes like procurement, licensing, and regulatory compliance, the ICAC ensures small businesses can compete fairly without the need to bribe or navigate biased systems. This creates an environment of trust, where decisions are made on merit rather than influence or favouritism.

To explain how and why and the impact the ICAC has on small businesses, we are joined by Lewis Rangott, Executive Director of Corruption Prevention at ICAC for I’m sure what will be a fascinating discussion about who now, as the saying goes, Keeps the Bastards Honest.

PEOPLE -  can you tell me about the role of the ICAC? How do other Australian states and territories manage political fairness? Why it’s an important part of keeping the political ecosystem fair and equitable for everyone?  Why is it important for should small businesses to understand about the ICAC’s work? ICAC has done some outreach work, can you explain how this supports rural/regional small businesses?

POLICY - when is small business owner raises concerns with a local MP or any representative of government, what sort of a response should they expect in return? How can we find a better balance to ensure small businesses have just as much access to policy makers as those who can afford to buy it?

PURPOSE - Describing the circumstances in which a private sector business could be found to have engaged in corrupt conduct.

Can you tell us about the Operation Mantis report and how it involved some small businesses?

Can you tell us about Op Hector, which might be relevant because we recommended a debarment scheme for certain corrupt businesses (which the Government has said it would implement).

About our Guest

Lewis Rangott BEc (Hons) MCom started his corruption prevention career at the Commission in 2003 as a senior corruption prevention officer and principal officer. He then held senior corruption prevention roles in the public and private sectors before being appointed to the position of Executive Director, Corruption Prevention, in May 2017. Mr Rangott is also a certified fraud examiner

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is dedicated to investigating, exposing, and preventing corruption in the NSW public sector. Independent of the government of the day, the ICAC promotes accountability and transparency in government decision-making by identifying corrupt practices and ensuring public officials act with integrity.

For the small business community, the ICAC’s work helps level the playing field. By rooting out corruption in processes like procurement, licensing, and regulatory compliance, the ICAC ensures small businesses can compete fairly without the need to bribe or navigate biased systems. This creates an environment of trust, where decisions are made on merit rather than influence or favouritism. Additionally, the ICAC’s prevention programs and advice encourage better governance, reducing opportunities for corruption to occur. By fostering a clean, ethical public sector, the ICAC indirectly supports the growth of small businesses, enabling them to thrive in a fair and transparent economic landscape.

EP#253 ~ Industrial Relations legislation. How does the Fair Work Ombudsman put policy into practice?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #253      Broadcast date: 10 Dec 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Anna Booth, Fair Work Ombudsman

It’s been a big year for Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose and we’re finishing it off with a bang!

This week we welcome Anna Booth, Australia’s Fair Work Ombudsman to discuss the changes to industrial relations legislation and what it means for small businesses now and into the future. And importantly, what does it mean for the Fair Work Ombudsman agency itself?

Industrial relations and the Fair Work Act have always been a minefield for small businesses but the recent changes are really overwhelming and many have said they will avoid employing anyone as a result. The Respect @ Work legislation, changes to Fair Work Act with Same Job Same Pay (tranche one and tranche two), the Right to Disconnect laws, the introduction of Family and Domestic Violence Leave, Psychosocial hazards and positive duty guidelines... it’s not a far-fetched assumption to say it’s a little bit confusing at times and downright out of scope for most.

There’s a lot of speculation in the media (both political and practical) about the impact on small business owners navigating this complex web. Will it mean more owners will shift back to under-the-counter cash in hand wages? With more complexity, will we see more workers vulnerable as small business owners struggle to navigate changes or, is this all a smokescreen and they’re handling it just fine.

Well, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s team is on the front line of these questions from both employers and employees and there to assist both with navigating the complexities. Plus, they’ve made some pretty snazzy changes to their website in order to make it easier.

In the final episode of People Policy Purpose it’s a big show, so let’s get straight into hearing from this week’s expert guest, the Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth.

PEOPLE – How would you like to see small businesses become more activated in regards to workplace relations? What sort of education and outreach programs do you currently have to engage with that audience? Where have you noticed small businesses have been engaging to find info on Fair Work?

POLICY -  industrial relations legislation is complex. How does the fair work ombudsman take such complex legislation and translated into procedures that small businesses can follow? What would be your recommendations to small businesses listening as a good place to start? Who are the best advisors to work with, if a typical small business owner can’t afford an HR lawyer on their team? COSBOA launched the PEAK resource for small businesses to navigate IR changes. How does your office interact with support services like this, offered by other agencies?

PURPOSE - can you describe the role of the Fair Work Ombudsman? Is it independent and how do you keep your work at arm’s length from policy makers? Do you influence their decisions and guide on best practice when it comes to considering the small business community in their deliberations?

Anna Booth was appointed to the position of Fair Work Ombudsman for a 5 year term from 1 September 2023.

Under the Fair Work Act 2009, Anna is responsible for promoting harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations. She has extensive and diverse experience in industrial relations spanning more than 45 years, working with unions, private, and public sectors. Anna was most recently Director of CoSolve Pty Ltd. She returned to CoSolve in 2020 after serving as a Deputy President of the Fair Work Commission for 8 years. Before her appointment to the Fair Work Commission, Anna combined her CoSolve directorship with non-executive directorships of ME Bank and IFM and was the non-executive chair of Slater & Gordon Ltd.

Anna spent much of her early career in the union movement. She was the National Secretary of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia and a Vice President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

Anna has also been Vice President Corporate Affairs at Sydney Harbour Casino and a lecturer at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management and the Australian Institute of Management. She has served on the boards of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and NRMA Ltd.

Anna is an accredited mediator under the National Mediator Accreditation System. She holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney and is the patron of the Industrial Relations Society of NSW.

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s purpose is to promote harmonious, productive, cooperative and compliant workplace relations in Australia. Their functions are to outline the responsibilities set by the Fair Work Act 2009 to achieve this purpose:

• provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, regulated workers, regulated businesses, persons in a road transport contractual chain, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
• promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
• inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
• take appropriate enforcement action
• perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.

To find out more about the Fair Work Ombudsman and how they help small businesses  click HERE

EP#252 ~ Personal insolvency numbers are on the rise but what’s the reality for small business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #252     
Broadcast date: 26 Nov 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Patrick Coghlan, Chief Executive Officer CreditorWatch

There’s a lot of talk in the media right now about the state of small business. If you read across the mastheads and articles covering corporate and personal insolvencies, there’s always a mention of the small business community falling victim. Is it because of Covid? Is it because of the current economic conditions? Or is this the new norm?

This week on Small Biz Matters, we welcome Patrick Coghlan, the Chief Executive Officer of CreditorWatch to answer these questions.

They pull together powerful data that paints a picture of the reality for small businesses right now. Recently, that focus has been on payment times and the knock-on effect to small businesses part of a supply chain when large businesses take too long to pay their suppliers. In some cases where supply chains are limited like in regional areas, and this can be in the collapse of several businesses.

So, if small business in Australia is 32% of GDP, what does an increase in business related personal insolvency mean for the economy and why is CreditorWatch’s data is so important to keep an eye on them? Let’s hear from this week’s expert guest.

PEOPLE – What is your data telling you about how small businesses are doing at the moment? Which macro economic factors are having the biggest impact on small businesses in your opinion? Are we really at the “edge” or is this a “course correction” following the temporary measures to protect small businesses from insolvency?

POLICY - How affective do you think the Payment Times Reporting Register in reducing payment times to smaller business? What else in your opinion can the Government do to accelerate payment times or other measures to support small businesses?

PURPOSE - Why is CreditorWatch working with its data and media reports to highlight the plight of small businesses? Why the change and what are you hoping to achieve? Why is it important to have Unsecured lending in the sector? What’s been the impact of COVID side hustles?

Patrick Coghlan is the CEO of CreditorWatch. In 2010, he became one of the three founding employees of CreditorWatch and helped to shape the innovative product we see today. Patrick’s knowledge and experience has led him to become an industry thought leader, regularly presenting at conferences and providing commentary and insights for the media. His leadership qualities have enabled him to play a key part in developing CreditorWatch’s values and culture, for which the company has won multiple awards including the AFRs Best Places to Work and a Great Place to Work certification.

 

EP#251 ~ How a small business navigates the complex world of skilled migration?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #251     
Broadcast date: 19 Nov 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Renee Baltov, Director The Barberhood

Running a small business is complicated enough, but imagine throwing yourself into unpacking a complex area of policy like skilled migration to ensure that your small business can grow and then, helping other small businesses to do the same. My guest today on Small Biz Matters has done just that. Not only has she unpacked, understood and implemented skilled migration as part of her business model, but she uses her knowledge and awareness to advocate for her industry and small businesses everywhere to ensure that it is more accessible, affordable and a useful tool for small businesses.

Hairdressing is one of the most complex small business models out there. Not only do you have customers, rent, overheads and profitability like everyone else, but you also have the added complexity of a younger workforce, and let’s not forget the expectation of being a psychologist to your clients! Like other small businesses, innovation in hairdressing can be progressed faster by importing skills and knowledge and then , training other staff from these international workers. The Barberhood in Sydney’s CBD has flourished and Succeeded, by learning from the skilled migrants they have hired… and so have their staff.

Today’s story to me, is inspiring. The Barberhood is a success; a CBD businesses rising from the ashes of COVID, but also I find it amazing that any small business owner would want to be a changemaker in policy Renée Baltov is a real business leader who is passionate about making policy and advocacy part of her business and part of everyone’s business.

PEOPLE – Tell us about your journey as a successful small business owner in the CBD. How does your business grow? How did COVID affect you?

POLICY - How did you become aware of skilled migration as an option for you as a small business owner? What have been the biggest hurdles trying to navigate the system? Is it getting any easier? What advice would you give to a small business thinking about bringing on board a skilled migrant to grow their business?

PURPOSE - Why do you advocate for other businesses when it comes to skilled migration? What do you fight for (e.g. the skilled migration lists) How do you work with your professional associations to get support and assist them?

Renée Baltov is a results-driven leader with extensive expertise in strategic marketing, business management, and commercial strategy. With over twenty years of experience spanning the FMCG, Retail, Health & Beauty, and Tech industries, she excels as a skilled business strategist. 

EP#250 ~ Unpacking ASBFEO’s 14 Point Plan for Small and Family Business

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #250
Broadcast date: 29 Oct 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: The Hon Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

The Australian small business and family enterprise ombudsman has a plan. A 14 point plan. A guide. A list of recommendations to support small businesses to survive and thrive. Is it a comprehensive be-all-end-all or should it just be considered just a start?

Governments have traditionally had problems compartmentalising small business policy, shoehorning them into a single department, or support program.. The reality is every policy affects every small business in the country. So how do governments begin the process of understanding the impact and untangling regulation, making it easier to do business in Australia, and assist small businesses (32% of GDP) to grow flourish and help build their communities?

The Energising Enterprise report: 14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses. What this report does is help to prioritise the governments thinking; it assists policy makers with deciding what’s most important, what’s critical right now and what can perhaps be considered down the track. The reality is small businesses need deregulation in every space but this is at least a coherent starting point at which to tackle the issue of the red tape for small businesses. It covers areas such as small business access to procurement, meaningful regulatory impact statements, tax offsets for startups, mandating low fees for payments, banning unfair trading practices, and Readily accessible and easily navigable central resource hub of ‘best of breed’ actionable information.

He’s got a plan, the man has a plan so let’s hear from the man, The Hon Bruce Billson.

The 14 Point Plkan -  Take us through ASBFEO’s Energising Enterprise report: 14 steps to boost Australia’s small and family businesses:

• Tax discount/offset scheme during the critical first three years.
• Right-sized regulation - For every Cabinet submission and new policy proposal include a regulatory impact statement
• Prime Minister’s Small Business Awards
• Federal Small Business and Codes List in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to give small businesses an affordable, effective and timely alternative to defend their own economic interest where fair trading protections and reasonable commercial conduct safeguards are infringed upon
• Procurement & compete for government contracts
• Mandatory for banks and other providers to charge the lowest fee
• Insurances - understandable, accessible and affordable
• Ban unfair trading/business practices that distort competition and harm small business
• Small Business Commissioner and Division within FWC for smaller employers
• Digital platform providers standardised procedure for dispute resolution
• A ‘Good Business Pays’ recognition and accreditation.
• Focus on business system and reg-tech solutions, information management (including cyber resilience, eInvoicing, data management, privacy duties and Consumer Data Right awareness, AI uses)
• Readily accessible and easily navigable central resource hub of ‘best of breed’ actionable information

Bruce Billson commenced his role as Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) in March 2021. The Ombudsman is an independent advocate for small and family businesses.

Bruce brings three decades of experience, knowledge, commitment and an understanding of the issues facing small business. Bruce was the Australian Government Cabinet Minister for Small Business from 2013-2015, a founding Director of Judo Bank and has held various board appointments, including the Franchise Council of Australia, Deakin University Business School and Australian Property Institute. He has also owned and operated a number of small businesses, and knows first-hand the joys and challenges this involves.

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

EP#249 ~ How is Jobs and Skills Australia innovating to solve skills shortages?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #249
Broadcast date: 15 Oct 2024
Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate & Policy Advisor
Guests: Professor Barney Glover AO, Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner

For years surveys have told us that one of the biggest concerns for small businesses in almost every industry is finding the right people with the right skills, to get the job done.

When unemployment statistics are discussed in small business circles it’s not just about the macro-economic number, there is real world impact. A tight labour market impacts on a small business owner differently since they’re the ones who compete for and attract talent, then manage the longer wait times to find, employ and train the people for their business. And when the economy is challenging as it is right now, small businesses would rather pay themselves less than lose their local employees and go through the arduous process of finding more staff.

Despite warnings from advocates, many industries have experienced years of underinvestment in skills, training and institutions. Apprentice completion rates are problematic, some courses were cut or defunded, and the difficulty as a small business owner trying to navigate across state jurisdictions all led to general confusion in the market. Some industry associations tried to resolve the skils shortages in their industry by becoming RTO’s (registered training organisations) but then found themselves dedicating manhours to navigating this complex system. The whole situation was made worse by the COVID pandemic, the departure of migrants and more recently, a drastic cut to international student numbers.

So the Federal Government established Jobs and Skills Australia to bring cohesion to the industry, better access to skills for workers and a simpler system for employers. Their vision is “for the full skills potential of our nation to be realised, resulting in improved workforce participation, productivity, wages and equity.”

This week Small Biz Matters is proud to welcome the Jobs and Skills Commissioner, Professor Barney Glover AO to deep dive into the workforce and skills shortages faced by small businesses and how Jobs and Skills Australia will aim to solve this complex policy and issue.

PEOPLE – Can you tell us a little bit about Jobs and Skills Australia and how you are engaging with the small business community to consider jobs of the future and meeting the shortfall of the skills required for growth?

POLICY - Skilled migrants speak of barriers to work such as requiring local experience get their foot in the door. Is Jobs and Skills Australia looking at innovative ways to link the skills we need with the migrants struggling to find work?

PURPOSE - Tell us about the Jobs and Skills Australia Atlas project. How will it work to solve the difficult problem of matching the needs of regional small businesses and availability of skilled workers?

Professor Barney Glover AO is the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia. Professor Glover began his five-year term as Commissioner in 2024.

Professor Glover is a distinguished academic leader, an accomplished mathematician and mathematics educator with significant experience in developing strong relationships with the vocational education sector. He is well respected for his engagement with First Nations Australians and disadvantaged communities.

He was Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University for ten years, from 2014-24, and in 2019 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to tertiary education, professional associations, and cultural organisations. In 2015, Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor for his outstanding leadership whilst Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University from 2009 to 2013. Professor Glover was awarded the title of Emeritus Professor and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Western Sydney University in 2024 in recognition of his decade of leadership.

To find out more about Jobs and Skills Atlas resource click HERE