A Regional Banking Taskforce has been established by the Morrison Government “to assess the impact of bank branch closures on regional communities,” Michael Sukkar, the assistant treasurer announced on Friday.
The taskforce’s mission will be to “bring together banks and other key stakeholders to assess how bank branch closures have impacted local businesses, industries and communities and work collaboratively to identify possible solutions.”
Minister for Regionalisation Bridget McKenzie said in canned quotes that “having access to bank branches is vital for every community, particularly for residents who are unable to use online services to conduct their banking,” shutting down one line of debate.
Sukkar and NSW Senator Perin Davey, from the National Party, will serve as co-chairs of the taskforce.
Members include representatives from the six largest retail banks; the Australian Banking Association; the Customer Owned Banking Association; the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia; the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Australia Post; and The Australian Local Government Association.
The taskforce will hold its first meeting in early November and will release an issues paper for public consultation.