The recent system failure from our second-largest telco has flicked the switch on widespread warnings nation-wide against Australia becoming a cashless society.
Sunshine Coast News has reported on the pros and cons of a cashless society extensively in recent times in a three-part series that outlined the extent of our “cash aversion” and ignited a flurry of warnings and opinions from readers.
Reminders of those warnings were ringing in our ears over the course of the 14-hour Optus blackout, which was reported from about 4am on Wednesday.
The biggest communications outage in Australian history hit more than 10 million users (nearly 40 per cent of Australia’s 26 million population) in all states and the ACT.
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The network fault not only affected everyday internet use and emails, plus calls and texts on mobile phones, it also hit home broadband and landline customers, multiplying the anger, frustration and feelings of helplessness.
Triple-0 emergency calls were limited to mobiles, while other carriers ‘piggybacking’ on the Optus mobile network such as Dodo, Amaysim and Aussie Broadband also went down.
Taxi and rideshare drivers operating on Optus copped a double whammy, with passengers unable to pay by card and destination map apps being rendered useless.
Internet banking also was impossible for the 14-hour outage, with uncertainty over due-date bills being paid adding to customers’ stress until most area connections were back up late Wednesday.
If ever we needed to understand the pitfalls of a cashless society, the outage brought that home in raided piggy banks and gloveboxes, ATM queues and lost sale opportunities – from coffee and haircuts to home business purchases and trade supplies.
X, formerly known as Twitter, was one of the social media platforms flooded with warnings about deserting cash altogether, following the network crash.
Flagpie Mick wrote: “NEVER let them create a cashless society. Ever. #cashisking.”
NEVER let them create a cashless society. Ever. #cashisking pic.twitter.com/cNAUQVvMkn
— Flagpie Mick (@SometimeMJM1) November 8, 2023
On the Call Out Cashless Businesses Facebook page that has 46,200 members, Gareth Theodore posted the day after the outage: “Yesterday, amidst the unexpected Optus telecom outage, we were reminded of a timeless truth: Cash is king.
“While many foolish people rely heavily on digital transactions, the outage was a stark reminder of the importance of having cash on hand. In a world where technology is ever-evolving and sometimes fails us, cash remains steadfast and reliable.
“This incident serves as an eye-opener. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about being prepared for the unexpected. Cash offers us the freedom and assurance to navigate through unanticipated situations seamlessly.
“Let’s embrace the wisdom of the past while we march towards the future. Keep a little cash handy, because you never know when it might just be your financial lifeline!”
In a recent SCN letter to the editor, Gerald Pain, of Melbourne, highlighted the folly of Australia going cash-free.
“I shall use cash for many purchases as long as I am able to,” he wrote.
“What you wrote is correct: us geriatrics loved/love a wad of cash. In past years, we felt rich when we had plenty of cash, cash used to have cachet too. It’s also somehow less sterile than using cards. However, I also use cards regularly: often it is easier. So, a mixed bag.
“As is very common with this country, they pour the baby out with the bathwater in an effort to seem modern, up to the minute. No doubt the same will happen with cash. Australia is marvellous at failing to learn from past errors of judgment and lessons and is thus doomed to repeat such a scenario again.”
Change.org has numerous petitions against cashless societies. One of the latest, targeting businesses that will not accept cash and force customers to pay by credit or debit card, has garnered more than 8500 signatures of a 10,000 goal.
Elizabeth Hylton started the petition in August, saying the trend discriminated against people who preferred cash, those who don’t have a card (such as the elderly) and others who can’t cope or are unable to use one (such as those with disabilities).
“A cashless society does not suit every Australian. People who can only pay with cash now feel disadvantaged, victimised and discriminated against by companies that refuse them service because they cannot use a card,” she said in the petition preamble.
“We are supposed to be a free, democratic and inclusive society. It is a human right that all people be treated respectfully and equally and with equal opportunity. It is not OK to take away people’s freedom of choice and human rights. People should be allowed to choose whether they pay by cash or by card.
“Where is freedom of choice? One of the hallmarks of a free society is freedom of choice..not just what suits an organisation, but also what suits the customer! We can’t go on forever using COVID as an excuse.
“… Cash is legal tender and has been part of our society for a long time. It should be made illegal for any company to not accept cash payments.”
As phone and internet customers grappled with reconfiguring settings on smart TVs, reconnecting wifi on their devices and scrolling through a mountain of November 8 emails, they are faced with one undeniable truth: there are no guarantees that a similar outage won’t happen again to Optus or our other two major networks: Telstra and Vodaphone.
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