Chalmers' cash mandate does not mandate cash

Before the last election, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he was going to mandate cash acceptance for all essential purchases, but his draft  'cash mandate' regulations exclude:
 

Pharmacies, doctors, medical clinics.
 

Big retailers - eg: KMart, Bunnings, Chemist Warehouse, Tyrepower, Harvey Norman, KFC, Maccas, etc
 

Small retailers under $10 million turnover
 

Governments and councils - eg: Fees, fines, rates, licenses, registrations.
 

Corporations - eg: Banks, insurers, lenders etc.
 

Any other service provider - eg: Landlords, pools, sports stadiums, clubs, pubs, restaurants, etc etc etc ...
 

The government's draft 'cash mandate' regulations only apply to:
 

Large supermarkets
 

Large fuel retailers
 

Transactions under $500
 

The 'cash mandate' will not apply to 99% of payments.

"the cash mandate has the potential to accelerate the demise of cash, rather than support its continued use," writes Dale Webster in TheRegional.com.au.

Treasury is accepting submissions from the public about this 'cash mandate'  only until FRIDAY 31st October 2025.