Card payment sucharges banned in Australia from 2026

[HMcM]

All very well if there is perfect competition, or even a good degree of imperfect competition. Where there competition is a long way from perfect (such as monopolies and oligopolies) most economists agree that some form of intervention is helpful to the efficient functioning of an economy.

The payment system is critical to the functioning of the economy and I presume RBA are introducing price caps to reduce what appears to be rent seeking in the sector.

Except there's an alternative payment method that results in zero interchange fees that is free for anybody to use, cash.

The reason the government is doing this is they have a vested interest in pushing more and more people onto card and away from cash so that they can track more of the economy. If you don't want to pay interchange fees then get some cash in your wallet.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Cash is only usable if the vendor accepts cash - if they insist on card payment only you are screed with cash

 

[dajop]

The reason the government is doing this is they have a vested interest in pushing more and more people onto card and away from cash so that they can track more of the economy. If you don't want to pay interchange fees then get some cash in your wallet.

Ok. We've arrived at the crux of your argument now.