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It’s been three months since the Senate Inquiry into regional bank closures handed down its report and long-awaited recommendations, which are a step in the right direction toward protecting vital banking services across our regional communities. 

In June, we met with Minister Jones to hand him our thousands-strong petition and called on him to urgently implement the recommendations from the report. 

Unfortunately he’s continued to sit on his hands. 

FSU National President Wendy Streets and FSU National Assistant Secretary Nicole McPherson again met with Minister Jones yesterday – watch a quick update here.

His response was bland and disappointing – he will consider the report’s recommendations and aim to provide a response by the end of the year. 

We all know that is far too long to wait. We need these recommendations implemented with regulatory oversight and processes NOW. 

Will you send a message to Minister Jones and ask that he implement the recommendations urgently? 

Send a message to Minister Jones

While Minister Jones twiddles his thumbs banks are continuing to close branches across our regional communities. 

Just yesterday, Bank of Queensland sprung an additional 400 job cuts and today announced it would convert all 114 of its owner-managed branch networks to corporate branches, putting them all at great risk of closure. Find out more here.

Minister Jones could easily save these branches by taking action. He needs to understand that we won’t accept inaction. 

The report’s recommendations are a result of tireless campaigning and advocacy by union members – it’s time Minister Jones steps up and take immediate action to implement what’s needed to keep bank branches alive for our regional communities and hold banks to account.