Lynda McAlary-Smith appointed small business ombudsman
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The news: The federal government has appointed Lynda McAlary-Smith as the next Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, succeeding Bruce Billson at the end of his term on 11 March 2026.
She will be expected to be a key advocate for the nation's 2.6 million small businesses.
The context: McAlary-Smith is currently the Victorian Small Business Commissioner. She is a former executive director of regulatory operations with the Victorian Building Authority, a former Fair Work Ombudsman senior official and has worked as a commercial litigator or businesses in private practice.
What they said: "With more than 800,000 new small businesses since May 2022, it’s obvious that Australia is a great place to start and grow a small business," said Minister for Small Business Anne Aly.
"I also thank outgoing Ombudsman, the Hon Bruce Billson, for his significant contributions to the small and family business community and for his strong advocacy on their behalf."
Billson said McAlary-Smith is an "excellent choice ... given her established network of stakeholders, regulators and policy makers and experience in dispute resolution and advocacy in support of small business in Victoria".
"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, an authoritative and persuasive voice and an advocate of constructive policy measures and initiatives that will help to ‘energise enterprise’," he said.
The sources: Minister for Small Business media release, Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman media release
