Dr John Langford-Smith, Ballina
A cash ban is a threat to democracy. A few weeks ago I wrote to the Senate Standing Committee in relation to the government’s proposed cash restriction legislation. While there were ‘in excess of 2,600’ submissions, treasury published only 140 of these in a deliberate breach of parliamentary guidelines and with bias to publishing those supporting the government. I have also written to Justine Elliot who voted to support this legislation, but have received no response.
While few people make cash transactions of more than $10,000, many small businesses rely on cash, and such legislation places stresses of compliance on both them and their employees. There will be a mandatory two year jail term for breaches of the legislation regardless of motive, including accidental breaches through serial payments totalling more than $10,000 by different employees.
Obtaining a bank account is not a right, and banks can cancel or refuse accounts without reason. Banks have already cancelled or ‘de-banked’ the accounts of businesses they disapprove of. Australian banks have collectively de-banked businesses engaged in cryptocurrency transactions, including cancelling the personal accounts of individuals and their families associated with the transactions, presumably as a warning to those who threaten their dominance.
Forcing people into banks makes charges unavoidable. There is also opportunity for unethical governments to de-bank those whose actions they disapprove of. Cash restriction legislation may seem innocuous, but is a serious threat to democracy. Cash restriction is sufficient to facilitate totalitarian control by unethical governments, and should be avoided, at all costs.
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