We are writing to provide our submission regarding the proposed mandating of cash acceptance in Australia.

 

We at the HEART Party are a non-parliamentary political party established in 2016 contesting at 6 elections.  Our memberships and voters represents the views and concerns of tens of thousands of Australians who value the ongoing role of cash in supporting inclusion, accessibility, and freedom of choice in our economy.

 

Firstly, we would like to express our appreciation for the Government’s recognition of cash as a legitimate and essential means of payment in Australia. This initiative is an important step toward ensuring that all Australians, regardless of age, location, or digital capability can continue to participate fully in the economy.

 

However, we respectfully submit several key recommendations that we believe would strengthen the proposal and enhance its practical impact.

 

 

We recommend that mandatory cash acceptance be extended beyond supermarkets and petrol stations to include (but not limited to):

These sectors are integral to daily community life, particularly for groups who rely more heavily on cash.

 

 

Children represent another group that benefits significantly from being able to use cash.

By ensuring that local businesses continue to accept cash, we help preserve these important developmental experiences while fostering community interaction and economic participation from an early age.

 

 

Older Australians are among the most affected by the shift toward a cashless society, which you have taken into consideration by the mandate. Many in this demographic:

Ensuring that essential services such as medical practices and pharmacies continue to accept cash helps protect the dignity, autonomy, and independence of elderly Australians who may otherwise face exclusion from necessary goods and services.

 

 

We understand that the current proposal includes small businesses to be exempt from the cash mandate. However, we believe this exemption undermines the intent of the policy and risks excluding a significant portion of the community.

 

Small businesses form the backbone of Australia’s local economies. They are often the primary point of contact for essential goods and services, especially in regional and rural areas where access to large retailers may be limited. Exempting small businesses could create inequity between consumers, where one person may be able to pay with cash in a large chain store, but not in their local corner shop or café.  This also allows children to purchase items at their local stores, as mentioned in point 3 above.

 

Furthermore, many small businesses already handle cash effectively and safely. With basic procedures in place, the administrative or security burden is minimal, and the benefits to inclusivity and customer satisfaction are substantial.

 

By including small businesses in the mandate, the Government would ensure a consistent and fair approach across the retail and service sectors, helping preserve the freedom of all Australians to choose how they pay, whether in a major supermarket or their local café.

 

 

Another important aspect of maintaining cash acceptance relates to charitable giving and tipping practices. Across Australia, countless community groups, charities, and service workers rely on small cash donations and tips as part of their income or fundraising efforts.

 

While we recognise that the majority of Australians now use digital payments, we strongly believe that both forms of payment, cash and electronic, should coexist. The HEART does not seek to promote one method over another but instead supports freedom of choice without coercion.

 

Cash remains a vital backup when technology fails, when privacy is valued, or when individuals prefer not to share data through digital systems. Maintaining widespread cash acceptance ensures the economy remains resilient, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.

 

 

We commend the Treasurer’s initiative to protect cash acceptance in Australia and encourage the expansion of this mandate be to ALL businesses. This will ensure that no Australian, young or old, is left behind in an increasingly digital economy.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration of this submission, and for your ongoing commitment to a fair and inclusive financial system.

 

Yours sincerely,