Natural disaster inquiry: ombudsman launches feedback tour

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Bruce Billson will visit natural disaster-hit areas around the country, holding feedback sessions with affected communities as part of his inquiry to help the sector manage future catastrophes.

Mr Billson says in a statement today the tour will kick off on Monday in Townsville and Rockhampton.

His information-gathering mission for the Small Business Natural Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Inquiry will also take him to Kangaroo Island and Tasmania.

“Over the coming weeks, we will be visiting more than 20 areas across six states and territories that have been impacted by fires, floods and cyclones,” Mr Billson said.

“I encourage small and family business owners to take part in this important discussion.”

The inquiry was launched last month after Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert referred it to the Ombudsman, who aims to report his findings no later than March 18.

Mr Billson says he wants to hear from small and family business owners who have experienced a natural disaster and have ideas about how best the Government can support them to prepare and remain resilient in the case of an unavoidable event.

“What we learn from small businesses on this tour, will help inform our recommendations to improve education and engagement programs to best target and assist small businesses in preparing for natural disasters such as fires, floods and drought,” he said.

The inquiry follows a recommendation in the 2020 Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements that “state and territory governments should continue to deliver, evaluate and improve education and engagement programs aimed at promoting disaster resilience for individuals and communities”.

Mr Billson says the impacts of natural disasters on small businesses can be devastating. They can mean damaged and destroyed assets, reduced production and revenue streams, and sadly, a business-ending event in some cases that can have devastating personal impacts.

“Recovery can be lengthy – taking a heavy toll on small business owners, their staff and the broader community, but can be greatly assisted by good preparedness,” he said.

Asked if the Ombudsman wants to hear about insurance issues, a spokesman says the inquiry is primarily focused on ways in which preparedness and planning can be deployed to build resilience in the event of a natural disaster.

“Small business access to insurance is a key part of preparation for a natural disaster, and has been extensively canvassed in reviews by the [Australian Competition and Consumer Commission], this office, and other entities,” the ASBFEO spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.