6664 (2026). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

6664 (2026). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Does the Minister agree with David Seymour who said, with respect to the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill, that businesses can't afford it; and if so, did the Minister not consider affordability when he was designing the Bill?

Hon Scott Simpson: David Seymour is entitled to his own opinions. The Commerce Commission estimates interchange fee reductions will save businesses around $90 million a year, and the surcharge ban makes sure customers are not being overcharged to compensate – particularly where fees were already excessive.