The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman released a study into factors impacting small to medium enterprise investment. Speaking at the Institute of Public Accountants national conference on the Gold Coast, Ombudsman Kate Carnell said barriers to investment included access to capital, red tape and energy prices.

Carnell said removing barriers to investment would give small businesses confidence to grow and boost jobs. Despite recent claims by bank executives that lending to small firms is booming, Carnell said this wasn’t the case for borrowers who don’t have equity in property.