There's been an explosion in media coverage of the cash ban law, much of it alarmed. (To see, do a Google News search for "cash $10,000".) ABC TV and radio especially have reported it with concern - perhaps the AFP raids on journalists have prompted them to take assaults on civil liberties more seriously?

Signing the petition is just the first step. In the next two weeks, before Parliament returns, everyone should contact their MP and Senators to object to the law. A phone call is best, otherwise email them. A link to MP contact details will be provided below. All you have to do is firmly express your opposition, something like:

"Hi, I'm NAME. I'm calling to say I'm outraged by the $10,000 cash ban. If the MP/Senator supports it, I'll vote against you. You have no right to take away my right to use cash if I want privacy and to not use a bank."

That's all you need to say, but say it firmly. If you want to say more, here are some arguments:

• The government says Australians hardly use cash anyway. If that's true, then that actually means there is not a serious black economy problem - Aussies aren't in the habit of trying to rip off the system. So don't use the black economy as an excuse to stop us from using cash if and when we want to.
• It's illegal for small business to avoid the GST etc, but it's not illegal to avoid bank charges, yet by restricting cash - starting at $10k but with calls already to reduce to $2k - the government will increasingly force businesses and individuals to give the private banks a cut of every transaction. Don't take away my rights, so you can profit the banks!
• This is NOT about tax evasion and money laundering. The authorities already know where that is happening, but often don't police it - see CBA and Crown Casino. Worse, the big four accounting firms including KPMG help big corporations and banks to evade tax and launder trillions worldwide, but it is KPMG that recommended the cash ban and is pushing to reduce the limit to $2k! Do you think we're idiots? Politicians who support KPMG's demand are protecting the real black economy.
• This is about trapping Australians in banks so we can't escape negative interest rates and bail-in. Politicians who say that is "paranoid supposition" are idiots or lying. The RBA has said it is prepared to go to negative interest rates, and the IMF says cash restrictions are necessary to make negative interest rates work. This month RBNZ governor Adrian Orr also said NZ could go to negative rates, and that would require cash restrictions to make it work.
• If politicians support this ban, they risk triggering a run on the banks before the ban comes into force. Australians don't have confidence in the banks now - being forced to keep their money in them will spook them into trying to get it out. Parliament will be responsible for the consequences.