Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2015 (the bill) is part of the legislative package that will establish the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

The ombudsman will not duplicate the functions of other officials, and will work collaboratively with other officials, including the Commonwealth Ombudsman. This bill's consequential provisions therefore will amend the Commonwealth Ombudsman Act 1976, to allow the Commonwealth Ombudsman to transfer matters to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.

I thank the Commonwealth Ombudsman for his contribution to the drafting of this bill. The collaborative approach evident in the drafting process will, I am sure, continue and result in small businesses and family enterprises having their matters dealt with, conveniently and effectively, by the most appropriate agency.

The current Australian Small Business Commissioner provides advocacy and representation for small business interests and concerns to the Australian government. Persons sometimes also seek the commissioner's assistance in looking for information. The bill's transitional provisions allow any work of the commissioner, which is ongoing at the time the ombudsman is created, to be transferred to the ombudsman.

I commend the bill to the House.

Debate adjourned.