Federal shadow treasurer Joe Hockey yesterday unveiled plans for a Opposition bill to let the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission act against so-called "price signalling". His plan adds to political pressure on the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, to deliver his own measures.Price-signalling rules would go a step further than current laws, which prohibit actual collusion between banks acting together. Firms  engaged in price signalling say what they intend to do but do not necessarily hear from other firms about what they will do.The ACCC has asked for powers to act on price signalling. Concern over the issue has been fuielled by a string of statements by senior bank executives in recent months about the need for banks to recoup higher funding costs.Hockey did not release details of his plan. But the Australian Financial Review reported it was expected to allow the ACCC to prosecute executives for and private or public statements that had the "effect or purpose" of lessening competition.The Australian Bankers Association has raised concerns that the bill could create a one-sided public debate on banks' funding costs.The independents and minor parties must support the price signalling bill if it is to pass. Yesterday they gave it a mixed reception.Independent MP Tony Windsor told The Australian he was sceptical about the measure, and argued it was more important to increase banking competition.But the Financial Review quoted fellow independent Bob Katter saying he would back Hockey strongly because he was "sending a signal to the banks".Treasurer Wayne Swan's office is continuing work on next month's planned government banking reform package while the Treasurer travels to China. That package is widely expected to include price signalling measures.Hockey yesterday continued to press for faster action, saying: "Wayne Swan is going about drawing up a plan for more competition on the back of the wine list in first class on the way to China. That's not the way to run the banking system."