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."
"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.
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Cash Welcome is a campaign to protect our right to choose how we pay, backed by donations from consumers, business and the cash industry. I have a petition that has attracted over 200k signatures:
About us:
Jason Bryce
0428 777 727
jason@cashwelcome.org
Contact details:
Jason Bryce
Cash Welcome
Backed by donations from the public, business and industry.
0428 777 727
