The Citizens Report

Make a submission!

All concerned Australians should send an email or write a physical letter to the consultation, calling for:

• Protection of cash, including access and use;

• Consideration of legislation to require businesses to accept cash payments;

• No forced phase-out of cheques by 2030.

To make a submission, click the link for the Treasury consultation website with details of the legislation and how to submit: https://treasury.gov.au/consultations/c2023-452114

Alternatively, simply email the consultation at this address:

[email protected]

Or write a physical letter to this address:

Sally Etherington

Director

Payments Strategy and Policy Unit Financial System Division

Treasury

Langton Cres

Parkes ACT 2600

Until the 1st of November, Australians have an opportunity to submit to Treasury’s consultation on a new bill to regulate digital payments in the payments system.

This is an opportunity to send a very strong message to the government: whatever you do to regulate new digital payments, you must also protect the only payment system that is 100 per cent certain, reliable, and private—cash!

Treasury’s consultation on the exposure draft legislation for proposed reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 runs until 1 November 2023.

The consultation page explains:

“Following consultation in June 2023, the government is updating the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 to ensure regulators and government can address new risks related to payments as the provision of payments evolves and increases in complexity.”

As yet the Australian Citizens Party has no opinion on the specific proposed reforms, but urges Australians to seize on this opportunity to send a message to the government to protect cash.

A loud message is important because while the government repeatedly states it has no plans to get rid of cash, it is allowing the banks to effectively force Australians to go cashless by making it harder and harder to access and use cash.

The banks:

• impose arbitrary limits on cash withdrawals at branches that have nothing to do with money-laundering regulator AUSTRAC’s $10,000 disclosure threshold;

• interrogate anyone who wants to withdraw their own money—which the banks claim is to protect customers from scams, but it’s also convenient for the banks and they take it way too far;

• close branches and rip out ATMs to make it much harder for consumers and small businesses to source cash and bank their takings, and forces consumers to use private ATMs which charge high fees;

• incentivise businesses to go cashless, to reduce the options for consumers to spend cash.

If the government doesn’t intervene to stop the banks from going down this path, Australians can look forward to a future in which any natural disaster or power failure will bring ALL commerce to a halt—possibly for days—until the infrastructure is fixed.

Families will not be able to buy food, water, fuel or any other necessities.

Starving, desperate people will huddle around and say, “Remember when we had cash and we could still buy stuff when the power failed?”

All so technology-bedazzled bank executives can shift their banking business model to 100 per cent digital, enabling the banks to extract more profits from their customers by trapping them inside the bank, tracking and tracing every transaction and monetising the data, and taking a cut of every single transaction.

To achieve their digital dystopia, the banks and the Australian Banking Association (ABA) are using dodgy claims and data to paint a false picture of Australian commerce.

For example, they claim cheque use has plummeted, but that’s only as a percentage—the absolute number of cheques written per month has held steady at around 2 million for 15 years.

1. The people demand government intervention against, not for, the banks

2. The foreign agents trying to sabotage Albo’s flight

Presented by Robert Barwick and Craig Isherwood

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20231012_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Make a submission to the "Reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 – Exposure draft legislation": https://treasury.gov.au/consultations/c2023-452114

Sign the petition calling upon the Senate to investigate ASPI for representing foreign influence in Australia: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/investigate-aspi

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20231012_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20231012_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20231012_cit_rep

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1. Huge blowback to cashless dystopia

2. A parliamentary investigation of ASPI?

3. He’s back! ScoMo in Thinktankistan

Presented by Elisa Barwick and Robert Barwick

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Watch the Citizens Party video "Stop foreign influence: Investigate the Australian Strategic Policy Institute": https://youtu.be/JkxknhTtskA

Sign the petition calling upon the Senate to investigate ASPI for representing foreign influence in Australia: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/investigate-aspi

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

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A sinister, well-funded institute is warping Australian public opinion for the benefit of its foreign militaristic masters.

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute pretends to be an independent, non-partisan think tank.

The truth is that ASPI would be the bringers of the death and destruction of Australia and humanity. Unless we stop them.

We’re asking you to sign a petition calling upon the Senate to investigate ASPI for representing foreign influence in Australia.

Sign the petition for a Parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Strategic Policy Institute: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/investigate-aspi

1. Trudeau’s great Nazi whitewash unravels—is Albanese’s next?

2. Don’t blame Mother Nature for Obama and Hillary’s war crimes

Presented by Robert Barwick and Richard Bardon

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20230928_cit_rep

Follow us on:

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Royal Commission redux: Bank CEOs back in the hot seat!

Presented by Elisa Barwick and Craig Isherwood

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230921_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230921_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230921_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20230921_cit_rep

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1. Is Australia already at war?

2. The foreign interference scare is being run by agents of foreign interference

Presented by Robert Barwick and Richard Bardon

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230914_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Sign the "An Australian cash and banking guarantee" petition: https://www.change.org/p/an-australian-cash-and-banking-guarantee?redirect=false

View the Russell Brand update to this petition: https://www.change.org/p/an-australian-cash-and-banking-guarantee/u/31864799?cs_tk=AikN-6dY9lPbTVjV92QAAXicyyvNyQEABF8BvM-_bUp6IH4RWii_9gWNU4Q%3D&fbclid=IwAR3SDNy4zq4i5FqVhtp9BICI0HxyjZvU-ooN7ZvVHg4ZwZaQynFy7ujU0ZU

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230914_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230914_cit_rep

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1. The great rebellion to save the economic fabric of Australia

2. All the war party can do is lie

Presented by Robert Barwick and Craig Isherwood

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230907_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230907_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230907_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20230907_cit_rep

1. ‘BRICS Eleven’ is the end of Anglo-American hegemony

2. More towns demand alternative to Big Four

3. Expert abandons group think on ‘China threat’

Presented by Elisa Barwick and Robert Barwick

Donate to support the Citizens Party campaigns: https://citizensparty.org.au/donate?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=cit_rep_donation&utm_content=20230831_cit_rep

For cheques and direct deposits, call 1800 636 432

Email, call, and join delegations to see MPs: [email protected]

Email and call the PM’s office and your local MP’s office in Canberra to demand they do more:

Contact PM Albanese (this is a portal which is effectively the only way to contact Albanese, so flood it.): https://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Contact your MP (search by name or electorate): https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members

Become a member of the Australian Citizens Party: https://citizensparty.org.au/membership?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=membership&utm_content=20230831_cit_rep

MOBILISE AND CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS AND SENATORS!: https://citizensparty.org.au/dec-branch-closures-contact

Visit the Citizens Party Campaigns page for a run down of the branch closure media coverage: https://citizensparty.org.au/campaigns

Sign the Citizens Party Petition to create an Australia Post Bank!: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/auspost-bank-petition

Subscribe to the Australian Alert Service: https://info.citizensparty.org.au/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=AAS_subscibe&utm_content=20230831_cit_rep

Sign up for ACP media releases: https://citizensparty.org.au/join-email-list?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=join_email&utm_content=20230831_cit_rep

After voting down a similar motion in September 2022, this month Temora Shire in NSW reversed its position and carried a motion to support a public post office bank.

The dramatic change of view follows NAB announcing the closure of the local Temora branch, one of 38 regional bank branches NAB has closed or announced will close this year.

The stated concern of some Councillors who opposed the motion in November was that a public post office bank would encourage the private banks to close more branches.

NAB’s abandonment of their town, leaving NAB customers to drive 54 km to Cootamundra or 86 km to Wagga Wagga, proves that it is the banks’ intention to close branches anyway.

One of the arguments for a public bank is that it would force the Big Four banks to truly compete, and that extra competition would scare them into keeping their branches open lest they lose customers to the public bank.

This happened in New Zealand in 2002 when the government started KiwiBank as a public post office bank.

The Big Four are all closing branches, but NAB is the only one to push ahead with regional branch closures in open defiance of the Senate committee that is conducting an inquiry into bank closures in regional Australia, which requested all banks pause branch closures pending the outcome of the inquiry in December.

Not only has NAB closed or announced the closure of 38 branches this year, but it has also put dozens more regional branches on limited trading hours, which is the main precursor to closure.

NAB has been exposed as being extremely deceptive in announcing these closures, in terms of both justification and timing.

It sends the towns it is leaving a “fact sheet” blaming the closure on reduced customer visits to the branch, but in July NAB’s top executives were forced to admit to a Parliamentary hearing that they only measure visits that involve deposit and withdrawal transactions.

NAB does not measure any of the visits people make to bank branches for many other reasons, which means NAB has no idea if branch visits are declining.

Also, NAB waited until after the Senate inquiry visited WA for hearings in Carnamah and Beverley to announce the closure of its Waroona branch, to avoid being called before the hearings in WA.

Australian Citizens Party Research Director Robert Barwick has attended all of the hearings of the Senate inquiry, and has written to all of the Councils in Australia asking them to support the campaign for a public post office bank. Barwick said today that the Senate hearings, and Temora Shire’s change of mind, reflect the growing revolt in regional Australia against the arrogance, predation, and dystopian agenda of the Big Four banks.

The banks are forcing Australia to go cashless and digital so they can get all the profit for no service.

The townspeople are saying enough is enough and demanding solutions, including a public bank to take on the Big Four.”