THE HON. KEVIN HOGAN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PAGE
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
DEPUTY MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
LABOR’S CREDIT CARD DEBACLE DEEPENS
The Assistant Treasurer today admitted the Albanese Government knew in July that the ATO wanted to stop accepting credit cards rather than absorb card fees it could no longer pass on. Small business wasn’t told until 30 September.
Last week the Treasurer told Parliament he became aware in late September. Now we’re told it was July – but Labor has been pursuing surcharge reform since 2024.
“This Government’s story changes every week. Who knew what, and when?” Shadow Minister for Financial Services Kevin Hogan said.
“Last week the Prime Minister and the Treasurer were fighting over who deserved credit for their backdown. Small businesses don’t care who takes the credit. They want to know why they were put in this position.”
“Labor now admit they knew about this for months, yet the Small Business Minister says she only found out on 1 October, the day it was announced.”
“This Government doesn’t consult its own Ministers, let alone small business.”
The facts are that Labor announced it was prepared to ban card surcharges in October 2024. A month later, it introduced legislation that provided control over how the ATO and other Commonwealth agencies surcharge card payments.
“This shouldn’t have been a surprise. Labor legislated new surcharging rules for Government agencies two years ago. If ministers weren’t across this issue, that’s shocking.” Mr Hogan said.
The Commonwealth Entities (Payment Surcharges) Bill 2024 provides the Minister with the Power to determine Commonwealth surcharging policies.
The Government says the ban was the ATO’s decision. The Australian Financial Review reports the ATO took options to ministers first – which makes sense given surcharging policy is controlled by Ministers under the Government’s own legislation.
The Assistant Treasurer also said accepting credit cards without surcharges indefinitely would have “very serious fiscal ramifications for the budget”.
“Welcome to the world of small business.” Mr Hogan said.
“That’s exactly what Labor’s surcharge reforms ask every small business to do”
“But it’s one rule for the Government and another for small business.”
18 October 2026
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