Cash mandate will allow 97% of shops to go cashless
Announcement posted by Cash Welcome 12 Feb 2025
The Albanese government's proposed cash mandate will allow the vast majority of retailers reject cash payments and demand payment by card or phone.
97% of Australian businesses will have express permission to refuse cash payments, as revealed in this excellent piece of journalism from The Regional.
Any retailer who can claim not to be selling an "essential" good or service is open to go cashless under the current government plan.
".. the proposed legislation in its current form has the potential to cause more harm than good, accelerating the decline in cash acceptance by giving almost all businesses in Australia an easy out as they face the challenges of managing cash as cash "access" is allowed to decline," said investigative journalist Dale Webster.
The list of essential and non-essential items is confusing, contradictory and will lead to disputes at shop counters.
"A qualified mandate undermines the basic principle that cash is legal tender," explains Dale Webster.
"The administration of such a convoluted and sometimes nonsensical list (children's clothes are essential but not adults) will act as a further disincentive to cash use."
Tea and coffee is essential BUT not water and juice?
Children's clothing and shoes is essential BUT not adult clothing and shoes?
Car repairs and fuel is essential BUT not cars?
Cleaning and household maintenance is essential BUT not furniture and appliances?
Postal and phone services are essential BUT not computers, books?
Pets and vets are essential BUT not sport or recreation?
This cash mandate threatens to greenlight the cashless society by allowing almost all retailers to claim they are not selling essential goods or services.
This proposal will lead to confusion and debates at the shop counter.
"For this cash mandate to work effectively, all retailers must accept physical cash," said Jason Bryce, founder of the Cash Welcome campaign and a petition of over 200,000 signatures.
"Governments and corporations must lead the way in accepting and supporting our legal tender.
"All retailers, not just those shops selling so-called essential items, must accept cash to support the cash system.
"A mandate that applies only to essentials will herald the dawn of the cashless society," said Jason Bryce.
The Mandating cash acceptance consultation is asking for submissions which close this Friday 14th February. Anyone can make a submission simply by sending an email to:
CashAcceptanceConsultation@treasury.gov.au
The Cash Welcome campaign provides a voice for all of us who trust and rely on cash. I get donations from people and businesses to my gofundme or shout me a coffee or Cash Welcome BSB 062-692 AC 4954 6502
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Please share our petition calling for mandated cash acceptance by supermarkets and mandated cash access in all suburbs and towns:
https://www.change.org/BankingAndCashGuarantee
Yours sincerely,
Jason Bryce
jason@cashwelcome.org
MEDIA CONTACT: 0428 777 727
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