Evolution of Conspiracy Theories in Australia
As conspiracy theories come true, worry about conspiracy theorists increases!
This April 6, 2023 article debunks a crazy right-wing conspiracy theory alleging that Australia seeks an end to the use of cash:
Four months later…
Cash is being phased out indeed in Australia, making that particular conspiracy theory true. I doubt that people even noticed: most likely, non-conspiracy-minded good citizens of Australia already forgot what they read three months ago. After all, only conspiracy theorists remember what the press said in the past, right?
The Australian press is completely unashamed about the previous warnings that came true but continue to warn us about the dangerous “conspiracy theorists.”
The Sydney Morning Herald explains that the “end of cash,” previously declared to be a dangerous right-wing conspiracy theory, is now good for us:
All sorts of arguments were run by elements of the Liberal Party rank-and-file against the idea, as if Australian liberty was based on the concept of hiding $10,000 under the mattress.
There was good reason for the idea to end such large cash transactions. They are used by criminals, including those who would prefer the Tax Office or anti-terror police agencies did not know of their activities.
The same RBA survey that showed a collapse in the use of cash also confirmed that cheques are as common as good Rick Astley songs.
This video cheers the plan, explaining that cash withdrawals will be halted or limited, banknotes removed from circulation, and bank branches will go cashless.
Australian conspiracy theorists are becoming more dangerous because they will shamelessly exploit their predictions coming true!
Why Do People Believe Conspiracy Theories?
A psychology educator David Hundsness, who made a career criticizing and psychoanalyzing “conspiracy theorists,” chimes in and explains
Maybe David Hundsness is actually on to something… What do you think?
What's the difference between a conspiracy theory and a fact? About 3 months.
Craig Kelly, the NSW MP (now ex-MP) also espoused dangerous conspiracy theories about lockdowns, covid treatments, and mRNA shots. During 2020 and subsequently, his was a lone voice in parliament, subjected to ridicule and abuse and finally kicked out of the Liberal Party (who had sponsored him into parliament), for refusing to toe the Party line.
Strangely, those conspiracy theories have now also begun to gain public acceptance, with a front-page article in The Australian a couple of weeks ago.
As for going cashless - well, anyone in Australia who goes grocery shopping will know about the move to go cashless. Since 2020, the self-checkouts have slowly reduced the numbers of ones that will accept or give cash. Now, it's about 4 out of 10 or 12 total, and 2 in my little local Woolworths that has 6 self-checkouts. Even though there is usually more of a wait for a cash one, the supermarkets refuse to change this, and in fact are adding more non-cash options in some supermarkets.
As well, we have seen massive closures of bank branches, the ones where you could get cash from the ATMs without being charged a fee. Most shopping centres still have an ATM, but it is usually a non-bank one that charges fees.
It all started during covid, when cash was supposed to carry dangerous viruses. (Well, it was in the pipeline before then, but covid allowed it to be seriously ramped up.)
Some businesses refused to accept cash (I am pleased to see that many of those have disappeared), and we do have a grassroots movement here to only use cash wherever we can. It would be a disaster in rural areas, especially those with unreliable internet (many).
During the bushfires in November-December 2019, people fleeing some coastal bushfire danger zones found that the ATMs didn't work, and this caused a problem getting food, and fuel to evacuate.
But the powers-that-be continue...
Fortunately, we do have more politicians now who are speaking up about this.
But as with covid, the majority of Aussies seem to be short-sighted and apathetic about issues like this, and just accept the convenience.