1 And 2 Cent Coins Are Still Legal Tender!

Haha, that's funny. I have nearly been tempted to do the same thing just for laughs.

Just because a coin is "legal tender", doesn't mean a checkout attendant is obligated to accept them. They have every right to reject a coin or note offered to them in payment, if they are sceptical about it, or about the person attempting to spend it, or if the store has policies in place controlling the acceptance of specific coins or notes. Even in the limited circumstances where "legal tender" carries an obligation to accept it - in the payment of a debt, which does not apply in the OP's case of buying something from the supermarket - there is a restriction on the number of one and 2 cent coins you can use (a total of 20 cents worth). This was put in place to eliminate the ridiculous "pay your fine in pennies" protests that we often see in America.

As for the status of 1 and 2 cent coins in Australia (or New Zealand, for that matter), while they remain legal tender, they are not "current". Non-current coins and notes are not expected to be used in commerce; they may be redeemed by a bank in exchange for current coins and notes. The bank is then obligated under contract to return them to the Mint for destruction; it is not supposed to re-issue non-current coins. Predecimal coins and notes are in the same category: "legal tender", but not current.