44772 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

44772 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Does the Minister agree with Dairy and Business Owners Group Chairperson, Ankit Bansal, who said "If the Government wants to eliminate surcharges, then it should start by fixing the root cause - the banking sector's lack of competition and its unfair pricing model"?

Hon Scott Simpson: The surcharge ban is part of a package of changes to improve the retail payment system, including changes announced by the Commerce Commission to reduce the costs associated with merchants’ payment costs. Both the Commerce Commission and the FEC & Primary Industry Select Committees have also had a look into banking competition, and I encourage those who are concerned about this to read the findings of these reviews.