THE HON. KEVIN HOGAN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PAGE
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
DEPUTY MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
THE IRRELEVANT SMALL BUSINESS MINISTER
Small businesses were blindsided by the tax office’s tone-deaf decision to ban credit card payments for tax bills, on the very day they were expected to start absorbing credit card processing costs.
Today, we discovered the Government’s disrespect for small businesses extends to their own Small Business Minister too.
In an extraordinary admission in Question Time, Small Business Minister Anne Aly revealed she only learned of the ATO’s decision when it was publicly announced on 1 October.
“On October 1, the ATO announced their decision that they would not be accepting credit cards. That’s when I found out,” Minister Aly told Parliament.
This is despite Treasurer Jim Chalmers admitting he was informed by the ATO before the decision was announced.
“Obviously, in the lead-up to taking that decision, we were made aware. We were informed by the ATO. I don’t know the specific timing of that.” the Treasurer said.
Shadow Assistant Treasurer Kevin Hogan said the revelation raised serious questions about whether the Small Business Minister has any influence at all within the Albanese Labor Government.
“How can the Small Business Minister fight for small businesses when she’s not even part of the conversation?” Mr Hogan said.
“If the Minister isn’t consulted on decisions that directly affect small businesses, what exactly is her role?”
“The Government has so little respect for small businesses that it doesn’t even bother telling its own Small Business Minister about decisions that directly affect them.”
“Under Labor, small businesses are ignored and the Small Business Minister is irrelevant.”
ENDS
12 October 2026
Media Contact: Chadd Gunton – 0418 104 993