Hon Tim Wilson MP
Shadow Treasurer
Federal Member for Goldstein

Mr Aaron Violi MP
Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy
Shadow Minister for Cyber Security
Chief Opposition Whip
Federal Member for Casey

Tuesday, 31 March 2026

The Coalition welcomes the RBA’s announcement that surcharging will be banned on debit and credit cards from 1 October 2026, but raises concerns that big business will get favour, while smaller businesses will disproportionately carry the cost.

Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson MP, said “The Albanese government must act to ensure that Australia’s struggling small businesses are not left picking up the bill compared to supermarkets with the end of merchant fees.”

Mr Wilson’s comments follow the RBA releasing its Conclusions Paper on its Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging this morning.

“Consumers will be happy with the RBA’s recommendation, but the cost will be picked up by small business. Merchant fee structures already favour scale to the large retailers, and small business shouldn’t lose out to supermarkets who can absorb the cost,” Mr Wilson said.

“Payment infrastructure needs investment to protect consumers, merchants and banks; but that shouldn’t mean small businesses disproportionately pick up the bill because big retailers are able to negotiate better deals with big banks.”

“Small businesses shouldn’t lose so supermarkets can win.”

“We already have record small business insolvencies under the Albanese government, and with a Minister for Small Business that no one can name, it is time we saw some action to protect small business and level the playing field compared to big retailers,” Mr Wilson said.

Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy, Aaron Violi MP, said the RBA has not addressed one of the biggest costs and least transparent elements in the payments system, Apple and Google wallets.

“Australians made over four billion transactions via mobile wallets like Apple and Google Pay in 2025,” Mr Violi said.

“The Albanese Labor Government and the RBA need to do more to reveal the true cost of using mobile wallets and ensure Australians are not being ripped off every time they pay with their iPhone.”

“The RBA has the power to act today to treat Apple and Google Wallets just like any other element of the payment system–why are they waiting while Australians pay more every time they tap?”