Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has denied that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese went over his head to intervene in the Australian Tax Office's (ATO) decision to ban credit card payments for tax bills. This follows Albanese's revelation that he personally intervened to stop the ban a day before stopgap funding was announced.
Chalmers stated on Wednesday morning that he and the Prime Minister were in discussions last Wednesday. He added that Albanese had a view, which he agreed with, that a longer transition period was needed to allow the ATO time to address the issue.
The ATO had previously announced it would cease accepting credit card payments for tax bills from 1 December, citing costs of almost $200m a year that could not legally be passed on to card users. Some business owners, particularly smaller operators, reportedly use credit card payments as a cashflow management tool.
Albanese indicated on Tuesday night that he acted after concerns were raised with him, including a text from Andrew McKellar of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) last Thursday morning. Chalmers also stated he was involved in conversations with ACCI and described the intervention as a joint decision with the Prime Minister.