Australia Moves To Restrict Cash and Build Up Its Surveillance State

[mountaineer]

Australia Moves To Restrict Cash and Build Up Its Surveillance State
It’s all part of the international push by officials to monitor the public. You’re next.
J.D. Tuccille | 2.6.2020 8:00 AM

Have you ever considered the data trail you leave as you swipe a card or make electronic payments for transactions over the course of your day? Australian officials have considered it, and they apparently think that trail of digital breadcrumbs is just an awesome step on the road to a surveillance state. The country is a Senate vote away from banning the use of cash for transactions of AU$10,000 and above.

It's all part of the international push by tax and regulatory officials to minimize the use of cash as part of the effort to monitor the public—and it's coming soon to a lawbook near you.

Australia's federal government isn't coy about the motivation for the bill restricting the use of cash. ...

For our purposes, an economy less reliant on cash could help counter the black economy. Electronic payments leave a footprint that cash transactions do not.  ...

Full story at Reason

[Smokin Joe]

So cash disappears as large transactions are made in diamonds or gold....