The message Robbie Katter and his colleagues want to send is cash should remain king – and they dressed up as dollar-shop royals with wads of fake money to make their point.

KAP lodged a motion in parliament on Wednesday calling to keep cash as legal tender and an accessible option for those who choose to use it as Australia moves towards a cashless society.

The Katter Australia Party hopes cash can always be used in Queensland. (Savvanah Meacham)
“We’re taking it into the Queensland parliament to determine and make sure that cash remains king in Queensland,” Mr Katter told reporters on Wednesday.

Nick Dametto said natural disasters in Far North Queensland could impact online connectivity, preventing digital payment access, meaning cash availability and acceptance remains important.

The party wants all Queenslanders to have the choice to use cash and for it to remain available with government services.

Banks were in the firing line of KAP as the MPs criticised regional branch closures – the subject of an ongoing inquiry – and merchant fees for online payments.

“We want to make sure that $50 remains $50. Don’t let the greedy banks to continue to skim off your transactions,” Mr Dametto said.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish responded to the motion saying the government understands Queenslanders still require cash.

“We know that many Queenslanders still have the option to pay by cash,” he said.

“We also recognise that some customers enjoy the accessibility of digital services.”

The Queensland government forecasts Australia will move to a cashless society by 2030 or even earlier.

The move to a digital society continues, with banks transitioning to online services such as BankWest which recently announced all its branches in Western Australia will close.

Reserve Bank of Australia data shows fewer people are using cash daily, with just 13 per cent of payments being made with cash in 2022.