Federal Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is encouraging people in the Junee region to come forward and have their say on how regional bank closures are affecting them.
The Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s Inquiry into Bank Closures in regional Australia will hold a public hearing in Junee on Thursday, September 21.
It comes after Mr McCormack and the Junee community spoke up strongly against the closure of its only bank branch earlier this year – with the Commonwealth Bank reversing its decision to close its Junee branch, guaranteeing its regional banks will remain open for at least the next three years.
“The needs of regional and rural communities are different to those in the city,” Mr McCormack said.
“Taking face-to-face banking services out of regional centres is an affront to country communities who have supported the banks for decades, particularly through Agribusiness.
“I urge and encourage those who feel aggrieved by these bank closures to keep an eye on the inquiry’s website for further details on how to register.”
Many communities throughout the Riverina and Central West have been impacted by bank closures over the past few years, including Ardlethan, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Harden, Lockhart, Parkes, Temora, Wagga Wagga and West Wyalong.
It’s estimated that more than 650 bank branches have been closed in rural and regional Australia since 2020.
More than 1,600 bank branches were closed in all parts of the country between June 2017 and June 2022.
A public hearing for the inquiry will also be held in Canberra on Wednesday 20 September. Timings for both hearings will be publicised on the website.
The Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport is due to report its findings into its inquiry into regional bank closures by 1 December 2023.
