Australian Labor government admits it knew in JULY of tax office plan to ban credit card payments

Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino conceded on ABC's 'Insiders' on Sunday that he and Treasurer Jim Chalmers learned in July that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) favoured stopping credit card payments. The ATO only announced in late September that it would stop taking them from December 1. Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson accused Chalmers of 'covering up' the government's role. The admission follows reporting that the ATO privately briefed ministers on its options.

Business groups revolted, forcing Anthony Albanese and Chalmers to underwrite the costs until June 30, 2027.

The row began when the Reserve Bank moved to abolish card surcharges from October 1.