A popular bakery chain across Perth has scrapped a decision to go cashless after backlash from the community.
Mary Street Bakery, which operates in five locations across Perth, stopped using cash during the COVID pandemic.
Owner Paul Aron said while going cashless was "time saving", the bakery was forced to switch back to notes because staff were receiving abuse from customers.
"I also realised over time that it is difficult for some people not to use cash and I don't want to alienate any of our customers," he told WA Today.
He said the business has faced some hurdles in the return to cash such as working out a way to process daily takings amid the decline in bank branches.
"It's time that it takes for our stores to count cash in the morning, in the afternoon and when they close, and it's the time it takes my accounting team to reconcile seven cash drawers and to figure out unders and overs, and the closure of bank branches is making it really hard to bank," he said.
"It's quite an expense and a bit of a pain actually, but my overarching sentiment is that I was happy to bring it back because it's about making sure everyone who wants to come, can come – and about protecting my staff."
The move comes after independent federal MPs Andrew Gee, Bob Katter and Dai Le introduced the Keeping Cash Transactions in Australia bill to parliament this week.
They insist the legislation is "crucial in protecting the availability and acceptance of cash payments across the nation".
The bill stipulates companies that offer goods and services in "face-to-face settings" must offer to accept, and must accept, cash payments up to $10,000.
If it becomes law, there would be maximum civil penalties of $5000 for individuals and $25,000 for companies. The bill also provides for "important and practical exemptions" exemptions.
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