The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold public hearings for its inquiry into digital payment schemes and emerging technologies on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 February 2026.
Committee Chair, the Hon Ed Husic MP, said ‘the Committee looks forward to hearing from people working across the payments landscape as well as those who rely on it for their day-to-day business operations.’
‘The inquiry will put a spotlight on the fairness, competitiveness and affordability of credit card and payment systems. Taking into account concerns raised by small business, the inquiry will examine the impact and inequity of payment costs on them. It will also look at the way technology may shape the future of payments, with a focus on digital currencies and blockchain technology.’
‘On Tuesday, the Committee will hear from key regulators and some of the larger operators in the Australian payments sector including major banks and global card network providers, as well as Apple and Australian Payments Plus.’
‘Wednesday’s program includes industry bodies from the payments and general business sectors, including representatives of small business. The Committee will also hear from witnesses working in blockchain and cryptocurrency, and digital wallet and payment technology companies.’
Programs for the hearings and the full terms of reference for the inquiry are available on the committee’s webpage.
Public hearing details
Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026
Time: 9:30am – 4:15pm
Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra
The hearings will be broadcasted live at aph.gov.au/live
Media enquiries
Adelaide Hayes
Office of Hon Ed Husic MP, Chair
Mobile: 0461 588 846
Parliament: (02) 6277 4108
For background information
Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4587
[email protected]
https://aph.gov.au/economics
