asked the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, upon notice, on 31 October 2011:

In regard to the announcement made by the Government that it would remove the necessity for restaurants and cafes to provide separate menus on weekends and public holidays that incorporate service surcharges, ahead of the decision were there any representations from the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations or the Minister for Small Business; if so, can details be provided.

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The Government made a decision in the context of the Government's response to the Productivity Commission's Annual Review of Regulatory Burdens on Business: Business and Consumer Services.