Australia’s small and family business community has its next national advocate, with Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith appointed as the incoming Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).
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McAlary-Smith will officially step into the role on March 11, 2026, taking over from Bruce Billson when his five-year term wraps up.
The appointment was welcomed by Billson, who said McAlary-Smith brings the right mix of experience, credibility and connections to the job at a time when demand for small business support is only heading one way.
“Lynda is an excellent choice as the next Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, given her established network of stakeholders, regulators and policy makers and experience in dispute resolution and advocacy in support of small business in Victoria,” Billson said.
“I’m looking forward to supporting the transition and ensuring Australia’s small and family business community continue to have a strong and fearless ally in their corner.”
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Momentum to make changes
Billson said the ASBFEO is being handed over with solid momentum, following a year of meaningful progress across several small and family business priorities.
“After a record year of assistance requests, ground-breaking analytical and research insights and real and meaningful progress on many advocacy priorities, including ‘right-sizing’ regulation, improved small business access to justice and the need for more targeted tax reform, ASBFEO has positive momentum that, with Lynda at the helm, will no doubt carry forward and be added to,” he said.
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The ASBFEO operates under the Treasury and helps small and family businesses deal with payment and contract disputes, often steering them away from costly legal action. It also refers matters to state-based small business commissioners, where local knowledge and on-the-ground expertise can make all the difference.
In recent years, the office has increasingly backed small businesses in disputes with major digital platforms, tackling issues ranging from fake online reviews through to sudden account bans.
Billson’s tenure
McAlary-Smith’s appointment also marks the end of Billson’s tenure, which has been defined by vocal, hands-on advocacy for the small and family business sector.
Billson became the second ASBFEO in 2021, following inaugural ombudsman Kate Carnell. The role itself was created in 2015, when Billson was Minister for Small Business under the Abbott government.
His time in the job coincided with ongoing COVID disruption and a sharp lift in the number of small businesses needing help. Requests for assistance rose from 6,479 in 2022–23 to 8,142 in 2024–25.
The office also stepped up its research efforts, including work showing fewer young people are starting businesses.
Billson said he hopes an ongoing statutory review of the ASBFEO reflects both the growing demand for its services and the pressure a tightening budget places on the organisation.
This article was first published by Business Builders.
