Nearly every Australian supports a government mandate for businesses to continue to accept cash.
A survey by consumer group Choice found 97 percent of Aussies thought it was important that being able to pay with cash remained an option.
Choice Head of Policy Tom Abourizk said more than eight out of 10 survey respondents reported using cash over the past year to pay for goods or services.
“97% say it’s important that businesses selling essential goods and services are mandated to accept cash,” Mr Abourizk.
He said there were no existing laws that guaranteed the right to access or use cash.
“While we welcome the government’s proposal to mandate the acceptance of cash, more needs to be done to secure the future of cash.”
Mr Abourizk said respondents in regional areas in particular expressed concern that increased fees to access cash in their community would have an impact on them.
He said the supply of cash and the ability to use it should not be dependent on the profitability of its supply and use.
“The government needs to act to ensure people in all parts of Australia can rely on cash.”
Mr Abourizk said with many banks closing regional branches and ATMs in recent years, there were concerns that people living in remote or regional areas of Australia would be hit hardest by the decline in cash and be left with fewer options.
“Our survey found that cash accessibility and acceptance are particularly important for communities outside of cities,” he said.
“There are also concerns that First Nations communities, elderly people, those dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters and those fleeing domestic and family violence situations will be disproportionately affected as they often rely on hard currency.”
