September 4th 2024.
In a surprising move, the University of Sydney's 37th annual Chancellor's Committee Book Fair has announced that it will be going cash-free this year. The fair, which has been a long-standing tradition, has sparked anger among some individuals who fear that this decision will exclude those who do not have access to a card or prefer to use cash.
The book fair, which will be held later this month, is a collaboration between the university and Lifeline Sydney. According to the university, half of the proceeds from the fair will go to the charity while the other half will go to the university's Chancellor's Committee. However, this year, buyers will not be able to use cash to purchase their second-hand books.
In a statement on their website, the university explained, "For the first time in 2024, the Book Fair will go cashless. If you're interested in making a purchase, please make sure to bring your card." This decision has raised concerns from various individuals, including Joe Alvaro, who believes that it will exclude vulnerable members of the community who do not have access to a card.
A spokesperson for the University of Sydney defended their decision, stating that it was in line with the trend of going cash-free and also aimed to ensure the safety of volunteers. "This year, we've decided to use convenient digital payment methods for purchases at the fair. This not only follows the general trend of moving away from cash but also supports the safety of our volunteers by eliminating the need for them to handle large amounts of cash," they said.
While the university's new partner, Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland, will still accept cash donations at the event, all registers will be digital-only. The fair's promotions and signage will also encourage digital payments. The book fair, which began in 1986 as Bookfest, has had up to 50,000 books on sale in the past. However, with the shift to cashless payments, it remains to be seen how it will impact sales.
Interestingly, it is legal for companies to exclude cash payments, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). "Businesses have the right to choose which payment types they accept. This includes whether they will accept cash payment. However, consumers must be made aware of these terms and conditions before making a purchase," the ACCC stated.
In a similar move, Aussie cafe Gloria Jean's is currently trialling cashless payments in some of its shops. This decision has also sparked debate and raised concerns about excluding certain members of the community who may not have access to digital payment methods.
As the book fair approaches, the controversy surrounding its decision to go cashless continues to divide opinions. Whether this move will have a positive or negative impact remains to be seen. In the meantime, the fair continues to be a popular event, offering a wide range of second-hand books for book lovers to peruse and purchase.
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