Ampol's cashless expansion tests WA's cash mandate as fuel giant expands without restrictions

Ampol's drive to expand its cashless U-Go network across Australia has ignited fresh concerns about payment accessibility in Perth, with the fuel retailer securing a five-year exemption from the government's cash mandate. The company plans to triple its cashless locations, a move described by critics as running counter to the nation's commitment to maintaining cash options for all Australians.

For Perth drivers, particularly pensioners, migrants and those without bank accounts or digital literacy, the expansion threatens to limit their ability to refuel using the payment method they prefer or may be unable to replace. Ampol's exemption creates a two-tier system where a major fuel player can effectively bypass the rules designed to protect vulnerable consumers, even as other retailers face compliance requirements.

The expansion also signals a broader trend in WA retail toward digital payments. If Ampol succeeds in normalising cashless operations at scale, other sectors may follow, eroding cash accessibility across the city. Local community organisations and advocacy groups focused on financial inclusion have raised alarm at similar moves, and Perth's consumer landscape may shift further away from serving those who depend on cash transactions for daily life.

Sources: perthnow.com.au.

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