Insolvency Practices Inquiry inundated by survey responses

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell says there's been an overwhelming public response to the Insolvency Practices Inquiry since it was launched two weeks ago.

"My office has already received 113 survey responses and a number of submissions in relation to this inquiry and we expect that number to grow," Ms Carnell says.

"While we are still in the early stages of the inquiry, it's clear there's a groundswell of public support for the work we are doing in this area.

"Primarily the Insolvency Practices Inquiry will shine a light on the insolvency system and uncover if it encourages practitioners, in the first instance, to restructure the small or family business to turn it around. We will also look at the transparency and fairness of the current system.

"We know there is a very low success rate in restructuring Australian businesses under external administration and the impact of the insolvency process is often devastating for the small business owner.

"Few small businesses that enter formal insolvency administration are able to navigate their way through the process to reach a restructuring agreement.

"We remain very keen to hear from small and family businesses that have faced financial difficulties and restructured or wound up their business.

"I encourage these businesses to share their stories by completing our online survey or provide a submission to my office via

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