A Regional Banking Taskforce has been established by the Liberal and Nationals Government to assess the impact of bank branch closures on regional communities.

The Federal Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster is inviting residents to provide their feedback in a public forum co-hosted by the Co-Chair of Regional Banking Taskforce, Senator Perin Davey. The public forum will be held at Red Cliffs Community Resource Centre on January 12th 2022 from 10am.

The solution-based Banking Taskforce is bringing together banks and other key stakeholders to assess how bank branch closures have impacted local businesses, industries and communities and will work collaboratively to identify and implement possible solutions, including the seat of Mallee.

Dr Anne Webster said that she was looking forward to the public forum as it will be a great opportunity to hear from local resident.

“The closures of bank branches across regional areas have poorly impacted communities in Mallee. Particularly for older residents, it has created barriers to accessing essential services,” Dr Webster said.

“It’s important that locals are given the opportunity to have their say. Regional Australians are the ones who feel the impact of bank branch closures. The feedback will help the Taskforce to both assess the impacts of closures and determine workable solutions.

“This taskforce is focussed on improving access for regional people to provide a tangible change.

“I will be raising these concerns directly with the Taskforce, when it meets in Mildura later in January,” Dr Webster said.
Co-Chair of Taskforce. Senator Perin Davey said that receiving community feedback is a key part of enacting workable solutions.

“Real local knowledge will help to guide the taskforce’s approach. As we look to implement effective solutions, we want to be able to attract as much insight as possible and this community forum in Mallee will help us achieve that,” Senator Davey said.