Event:  Andrew McKellar interview on Nine’s Today Show

Date: Tuesday 15 October 2024

Topics:  Debit card surcharges and changing the legal definition of small business employers.

E&OE

Karl Stefanovic:

Well, the government has this morning revealed that it’s prepared to ban debit card surcharges, which would save Australians upwards of 4 billion a year.

Sarah Abo:

Let’s bring in CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Andrew McKellar in Canberra as well. Now, Andrew, good morning to you. So subject to review from the RBA. This could be implemented as soon as next year. Do you back it? I guess there are concerns the banks might just pass this cost onto their customers.

Andrew McKellar:

Well, good morning, Sarah. Good morning, Karl. Look, I think from our point of view, this is a move which is about consumers, about individuals, but also small business because in many cases, small businesses are facing these charges, it’s not necessarily linked to the costs of providing the service. And in many cases, of course, they’ve got to pass it through. So it can amount to a significant proportion in the cost of a good or service that’s been provided, you know a cup of coffee, if you’re paying a 50 cents surcharge, that’s a pretty significant slug. So look, I think it’s a welcome move. I think it’ll be good for consumers and it’ll be good for small business. We just want to ensure that these sorts of fees or surcharges, that they are transparent when they’re being applied. They should be fair and business shouldn’t be expected to pay an undue amount.

Karl Stefanovic:

Well, let’s hope the banks don’t find another way of passing it on.

Sarah Abo:

Oh exactly, yeah.

Karl Stefanovic:

Meantime, business lobbyists want the definition of a small business expanded from 15 workers or fewer to 25. Why do you want to see this change?

Andrew McKellar:

Well, look, Karl, it’s all about giving small business a fair go.  At the moment small business is struggling, it’s struggling with higher costs, and it’s also struggling with the impact of having to comply with a lot of new rules and regulations, particularly when you want to employ somebody in your business. So we’re saying for those small businesses, let’s give small business a go. Let’s give them more time to focus on the important things, and if they want to create a job, make it easier. We want to keep the labour market strong, we want to keep unemployment low, so let’s give small business an even break.

Sarah Abo:

It doesn’t sound like Labor is on board with that, we’ve got the employment minister on a little bit later. Andrew, thank you so much for joining us this morning.