Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell.
When Kate Carnell reflects on her five years as Small Business Ombudsman, she says her proudest achievement has been in an area that was somewhat unexpected.
Speaking to
SmartCompany from her Canberra office on Monday, as she starts her final week as Ombudsman, Carnell recalls how when she started in the role she asked small businesses what they most wanted her to focus on.
She expected the answer to be industrial relations, but “they said payment times, by a long shot”.
The fact that payment times for small businesses is now a major issue, and that measurable improvements have been made, is at the top of Carnell’s list of highlights from serving as the first Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).