Advocacy

As the peak body for family businesses in Australia and New Zealand, we are totally dedicated and committed to playing an advocacy role for our members by representing the interests of the family business sector. 

Our advocacy efforts include: 

• Communicating the unique challenges of families in business 

• Being a voice for our members at all levels of government 

• Engaging key stakeholders by raising the profile of the family business sector.  

As the family business sector is constantly evolving, we meet the needs of our members with our dynamic advocacy and support. 

Submissions 
On behalf of our members and the family business sector, we make submissions to government bodies. Some of our submissions include the following. 

Family Business Senate Enquiry.  
Family Business Association (formerly Family Business Australia)  made a submission and appeared before the enquiry in 2012. Since the publication of the Senate Committee’s report in 2013 and the Government’s response in 2014, we have been actively involved in discussions with Treasury, who have carriage of its implementation. 

Small Business Tax Review  
Submission to the Review, in conjunction with our past partner, KPMG 

Division 7a Tax Review (in conjunction with KPMG) 
Submission to the Review, in conjunction with our partners, KPMG 

ACCC Competition Policy Review 
Lodged a short comment to the Competition Policy Review.  

Australian Federal Government partners 
Advocacy is an ongoing activity and rather than waiting for opportunities to present themselves, Family Business Association seeks to actively build relationships with key partners at a Federal Government level. 

Our key relationships include: 

• The Honourable Bruce Billson GAICD, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman. Bruce is a previous family business owner and has a deep understanding of family business. 

• Kate Carnell is the former Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman and is Family Business Associations Patron. Kate works with us to highlight the role that family businesses play in supporting the Australian economy and our society, and we hope her influence will help Family Business Association to be the peak body that represents this vast business sector. 

• Australian Small Business Commission: Craig Lathan, Deputy Small Business Commissioner and Amelia Watman, Small Business Commission Manager. In response to the Senate Enquiry into Family Business, the Commissioner’s role has been widened to include the Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, with the legislation for that change pending. 

• ACCC (Australian Consumer and Competition Commission), Dr Michael Schaper, Deputy Commissioner. Dr Schaper is responsible for small business and is always interested in issues and concerns raised on behalf of members. 

• ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission): Family Business Association’s CEO represents our members on the ASIC Business Advisory Council and contributes to areas of concern to family businesses. 

• ATO (Australian Taxation Office) provide education and updates on changes to the ATO. 

 

Have your say 
Want your voice to be heard? Become a member today and tell us the concerns you have within the family business sector so we can advocate on your behalf. 

Become a member