{
  "id": 12944976,
  "title": "Live: Minister moves to smooth over government response to ATO payment change",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/live-minister-moves-to-smooth-over-government-response-to-ato-payment",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T20:14:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-09/federal-politics-live-blog-labor-ato-ct-9/107246030"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy attempted to smooth over the federal government's response to the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) decision to discontinue accepting credit card payments for tax bills. Penny Wong, a Labor frontbencher, stated that the government lacks the power to direct the tax office to reverse its decision. The ATO's decision came after the Reserve Bank banned credit card surcharges. Conroy emphasized the importance of the ATO's independence and encouraged them to consult with small businesses regarding the change. The Coalition has called for Labor to intervene, while Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton supported the ATO's decision.",
  "summary": "Pat Conroy has tried to smooth over the federal government's response to the ATO's decision to end credit card payments. Follow live.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Previous govt left GH¢111bn debt burden, yet we are still delivering infrastructure - Lands Minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/previous-govt-left-gh-111bn-debt-burden-yet-we-are-still-delivering",
        "published": "2026-10-08T17:02:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Government inherited GH¢111bn debt burden but continues infrastructure projects – Lands Minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/government-inherited-gh-111bn-debt-burden-but-continues",
        "published": "2026-10-08T19:38:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}