ANZ’s Robinvale branch has closed, but not before the bank delivered one final blow to the community in crediting closures as part of its emission reduction actions, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says.

The branch closed its doors on Thursday, the same day the bank was facing the Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Inquiry into bank closures into Regional Australia hearing in Ingham, Queensland.

“The people of Robinvale have in no uncertain terms been told by ANZ that servicing them is not as important as projecting the bank’s green image,” Dr Webster said.

“They have been treated with absolute contempt, as my Senate colleague Matt Canavan said at today’s hearing – people aren’t talked to, they are not spoken to, meanwhile the bank claims credit for their closures in their climate commitments.”

ANZ’s own public disclosure statement admitted its committed emissions reductions continued in 2022 – when the closure of the Robinvale branch was announced – due to property consolidation.

“This is just a case of ANZ virtue signalling, at a cost to their customers in Robinvale,” Dr Webster said

“In the end the buildings will be occupied by new tenants who also turn the lights on and use air conditioning and heating – but it’s the Robinvale community who are losing a banking service.”

Dr Webster encouraged Robinvale residents to move their banking business to either the remaining Commonwealth Bank or Westpac.

Westpac initially was to close however backflipped on that decision.

“Regional communities should not be forced to use vital bank services online, particularly in communities like Robinvale with a significant older or multicultural population who find it much easier to bank in person,” Dr Webster said.

“These other two banks in Robinvale provide that option and ultimately haven’t abandoned the community like ANZ has now done.”