The major parties have colluded to lock in a weak cash mandate that leaves Australians vulnerable to exclusion, the Greens say.
The Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes-Cash Acceptance) Regulations 2025 only applies to large supermarkets and fuel retailers, meaning most essential service providers are not required to accept cash.
"People should be able to use cash for essential goods and services across the economy, not just at a handful of big retailers," said Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim
"Cash matters for inclusion, choice, access to essentials, and basic resilience when digital systems fail."
"These regulations are far too narrow. They let most corporations off the hook while pretending to solve the problem."
Consumer groups have warned the rules hit older Australians, people on low incomes, and regional communities hardest.
A disallowance motion that would have forced Labor to introduce a broader cash mandate was defeated by the combined votes of the major parties today.
"Yet again the Labor and Liberal parties have voted together to protect their corporate mates, and let most big corporations off the hook."
