Fighting Back Against Anti-Cash Interests

The ATM Industry Association has been working hard over the last month to continue to push back against anti-cash interests and promote the importance of cash in a reliable payment system.

We have continued our communication with the new NSW Government in relation to calls for cashless gaming and will have more to announce in this space later. Our message has been consistent: any move to change how gaming is controlled should be proportionate, and not unfairly demonise regular consumers.

At a federal level, following the success of our written submission to the Senate Inquiry on Bank closures in regional Australia, we have been advised that the inquiry is continuing with its hearings. The next hearing is on 18 May 2023 at Ingham, Queensland. To that end, we have been working hard to ensure that the Inquiry knows of the critical role cash pays in ensuring that regional areas have a reliable and resilient payment option. We will continue to advocate for this position and look forward to the expected release of the report on 1 December 2023.

There has also been strong momentum in the joint Cash Welcome Group and ATMIA online petition to ensure that cash can be used in all retail outlets for transactions under $10,000. The petition has now reached over 100,000 signatures and there is significant interest from both the media and politicians. A key theme from all signatories is the importance of ensuring that consumers have the right to choose their payment method. Please do not forget to sign and share this petition by clicking here.

I draw your attention to another timely reminder of the Europe & Emerging market Summit to be held on 18^th & 19^th October in Dublin, Ireland.

There is no doubt there is a common global issue around the access to cash and the cash acceptance. This one stop event will focus on the future of ATMs and the path to protect access to cash. This is one event not to miss in 2023. Over the course of this two-day event, delegates will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts about the evolving challenges that face ATMs and how to thrive in a changing payments landscape.

 Hear from keynote speakers from European Central Banks as they share their insights around the common issue for the industry on access to cash. To read more or to register for this event click here.

Finally, thank you to all our loyal members for your continual support. To the non-members, we urge you all to consider joining ATMIA and continue to work together as an industry to ensure that cash is protected and remains part of the payment landscape.

Cheers!
Sandra Smith
Executive Director, Asia/Asia Pacific