The bill passed its first reading in September, with a select committee reporting back in November.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been on Parliament\u2019s order paper since then \u2013 with a second and third reading yet to occur.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the Government still plans to progress the bill, Luxon said the bill was \u201cstill under consideration\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just want to make sure we understand all the implications before we push the final button on it. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to take a breather and have a think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the Government’s ‘taking a breather’ on the bill. Photo \/ Marty Melville<\/p>\n
Act leader David Seymour said there were significant concerns from businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve in particular listened to small business people saying we get a million bucks through our card system. A 2% fee we have to eat would be $20,000 and our small business can\u2019t afford that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why conversations carry on.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, who\u2019s in charge of the bill, didn\u2019t signal any delays when asked \u2013 saying the bill was simply awaiting second reading amid a busy legislative agenda.<\/p>\n
The following day, he provided a statement saying the Government\u2019s plan to ban surcharges was unchanged.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe work is continuing, but it is important for us to consider the feedback received during select committee, and more broadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis feedback is under consideration now, and we will have more to say on the next steps on this bill in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n
An hour later, when asked why the bill hadn\u2019t been progressed, Peters said it was \u201cgoing nowhere\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s languishing.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Peters wouldn\u2019t confirm his party\u2019s position on the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it turns up, I\u2019ll tell you about it at the second reading.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll deal with it when the time comes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about Peters\u2019 comments, Simpson\u2019s office said he had no further comment.<\/p>\n
Retail New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young said she\u2019d heard there were \u201csome challenges with the bill going ahead\u201d.<\/p>\n
She called on the Government to ditch the bill entirely \u2013 and go back to the drawing board and properly consult with merchants.<\/p>\n
Bill would force up prices \u2013 officials<\/p>\n
Officials at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) found Kiwis pay between $45 million and $65m a year in surcharges, while the average consumer pays about $35 each year.<\/p>\n
They also found consumers are often overcharged: the average surcharge costs double the fee paid by the merchant.<\/p>\n
The ministry concluded that removing surcharges from credit, debit and contactless payments would streamline the consumer experience.<\/p>\n
But it also found a ban would cause \u201cmany merchants to respond by raising prices across all consumers\u201d, because retailers would be forced to pick up the cost of the fees, especially from high-fee credit cards.<\/p>\n
Smaller merchants would bear the brunt of that, struggling to absorb additional costs and \u201cleaving them particularly exposed\u201d.<\/p>\n
It could mean some merchants might stop accepting credit cards entirely.<\/p>\n