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The federal government has released exposure draft legislation to establish an Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
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Exposure draft released to establish new ombudsman
12 March 2015
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Minister for small business Bruce Billson said that establishing the small business ombudsman was an election commitment made to ensure small businesses have an easy access point for advice to avoid and manage disputes.
“With the Ombudsman in place, the hard working women and men of Australian small businesses can get on with the important job of running their business instead of being caught up in dispute resolution,” Mr Billson said.
The exposure draft legislation establishes the position and outlines the ombudsman’s functions and powers.
The ombudsman will be a:
• Commonwealth-wide advocate for small businesses and family enterprises;
• a concierge for dispute resolution; and
• a contributor to the development of small business-friendly Commonwealth laws and regulations.
Mr Billson said he wants to ensure the ombudsman is to be given real powers to deliver benefits for small businesses and to ensure that all disputes brought forward will be impartially resolved based on the facts.
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“The Ombudsman will also act as an independent advocate for issues that small businesses are facing at the national level, voicing concerns to Government and industry where small businesses are being adversely affected,” he said.
The exposure draft legislation and explanatory materials are available at the Treasury website for a consultation period ending 7 April 2015.
Treasury officials will also hold targeted, one-on-one consultations across the country over the coming weeks.
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