The National Retail Association (NRA) has applauded the government for passing increased consumer protections against excessive credit card surcharges through parliament.
The changes will largely aim to prevent hotels, airlines and taxi companies from charging excess fees for credit card payments.
NRA CEO Trevor Evans believes that although it's a move that will benefit consumers, the changes will also benefit small retailers and businesses.
"We congratulate the Turnbull Government for the strong and swift action it has taken on this issue, as well as for the genuine way it has engaged in consultations with the retail sector.
"There has no doubt been gouging of consumers when it comes to credit card fees, but in our experience it has largely been hotels, airlines and taxi companies charging an amount far in excess of the actual cost of providing the service.
“Along the way, they have given all retailers a bad name.
"We want consumers to be able to spend their hard-earned cash on the things they want to buy, not on the costs of buying them."
Evans has also suggested that in light of the new laws, regulators should set clear guidelines for retailers and small businesses to apply the correct changes to their business.
"The regulators need to remember, when starting to enforce these rules, that small businesses may not all be across the complex and changing regulations in this space.
“We urge the authorities to approach the issue from a position of educating, rather than punishing, once the new laws are rolled out later this year.
"Any retailers unsure about their compliance with the new arrangements should contact their industry association for advice."