Hi Cash Lovers,
Everyone needs cash at least sometimes but some groups in our community are higher cash users than others. Now National Seniors is jumping into the cash issue on behalf of senior Australians.
"The move towards a ‘cashless society’ is disproportionately impacting seniors who struggle with technology and online banking, highlighting concerns about digital exclusion," says National Seniors.
"Many seniors are not comfortable transacting online because they're not tech savvy, and they're concerned about online and credit card scams. In many cases, cash is all they're familiar with, and is their only way to make purchases.
Although online facilities are convenient for many of us, digital systems also pose risks during outages and natural disasters, highlighting the importance of cash being an option during emergencies.
Older Australians and First Nations communities, in particular, are also the most vulnerable to scams. National Seniors is advocating for cash to be accessible and accepted."
You can sign up to support National Seniors' Keep Cash campaign here.
The timing is right for this campaign because right now the industry, regulators and government are talking about the future of cash. There is an independent bill before parliament proposing to make cash acceptance mandatory for all retailers. The bill's notes explain:
"The Bill mandates that businesses providing goods and services in face-to-face settings, within a premises, structure or vehicle at which a person carries on a business, must offer to accept, and must accept, payment in cash if the transaction does not exceed $10,000.
The Bill provides for maximum civil penalties of $5,000 for a person and $25,000 for a body corporate if its requirements are contravened."
A senate committee has just recommended that banks be required to ensure access to cash in every town and suburb. Recommendation One says:
"The committee recommends that the Australian Government adopt a policy recognising access to financial services as an essential service. To this end, it should commit to guaranteeing reasonable access to cash and financial services for all Australians."
This recommendation is clearly very close to what our petition has been calling for. As a reminder, this is what our petition states:
We call for an Australian Banking and Cash Guarantee that includes these rights:
1) All Australians must be able to have reasonable local access to cash and full banking services.
2) All Australians must be able to choose cash when paying for food and essentials at physical retailers.
So our campaign is now making a big difference. Here is Natalie Barr on Sunrise talking about cash.
Please check out our Cash Welcome online shop or support our message by making a contribution to our:
Cash Welcome gofundme account.
Alternatively, please send a deposit to:
Cash Welcome (Commonwealth Bank)
BSB 062-692
AC 4954 6502
Please visit our
Thanks to everyone for backing Bart and I to continue this campaign and petition. We rely on your support to keep it all going.
Jason Bryce
Jason@CashWelcome.ORG