Regional Bank Closures

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Regional Development on the topic of regional banks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Last month, the Senate inquiry examining bank closures in rural areas visited Kingston here in South Australia to hear evidence about how the bank closures have impacted on local communities. BankSA, which is part of the Westpac Group, has paused the closure of its Kingston branch while the Senate inquiry is underway, but the future of that branch remains unclear.

This time last year, on 8 March 2023—in fact almost a year to the day—this chamber passed a Greens motion calling on the government to formally raise the closure of the Coober Pedy bank with Westpac and to advocate for the retention of bank branches in the regions. My question to the Minister for Regional Development therefore is: what action has the minister taken in relation to regional bank closures following the passage of that motion here in this place, and what is the Malinauskas government doing to prevent the closure of any more regional banks?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:36): I think the issue of regional banks is something certainly not only that we have discussed on a number of occasions here but is of great concern to regional communities. The Senate's Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee's inquiry into bank closures in regional Australia I understand did have reopened submissions.

I am not sure whether the member who asked the question did put in a submission for this inquiry with it being reopened. I would have thought that if he had felt strongly, as I would have thought he would—I know he doesn't get out to the regions very often, but I know he still cares about them—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —I know he still cares about them. Look, I am being fair to the honourable member.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I would have thought he would have put in a submission. I hear a lot of squealing from those opposite as well, and yet I am not sure that they put in a submission either.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Interjections are out of order.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Did they put in a submission to the inquiry?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: If they didn't, it really does beggar belief that they are now making such comments, as they are attempting to do, contrary to standing orders, by these interjections. I have previously written to the big four banks' CEOs: Mr Peter King from the Westpac Group, Mr Matt Comyn from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Mr Ross McEwan from National Australia Bank, and Mr Shayne Elliott from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.

In that correspondence I outlined the state government's disappointment and concern at their continuing and alarming trend of regional bank closures, and I forwarded with those letters to the CEOs the government of South Australia's submission to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry into bank closures in regional South Australia.

I haven't had an update in the last week or two, but I think it is most unfortunate when we see private entities not living up to what should be their community responsibilities to provide essential services such as banking in regional areas.