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Malinauskas Government fails to action Upper House motion on regional bank closures

16 May 2023

Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven still hasn’t raised the issue of regional bank closures with Westpac, despite a motion calling on the State Government to do so passing the Upper House unanimously in March, the Greens have today revealed.

The motion by Greens MLC Robert Simms noted that Westpac has decided to close their branch in Coober Pedy, leaving the community without a bank, and called on the Malinauskas Government to formally raise the matter with Westpac and advocate for the retention of bank branches in the regions.

In Question Time today, Mr Simms asked the Minister whether she had written to Westpac. Her answer revealed that she had not.

“I’m stunned that more than two months after this motion passed the Upper House with the support of all parties, the Minister for Regional Development still hasn’t put pen to paper to advocate to Westpac for a bank in Coober Pedy.”

“Local bank branches are essential to regional businesses and community life. I think regional communities would expect that the Minister would act promptly to ensure that they are not denied access to this basic service.”

“It seems the Minister for Regional Development really is missing in action on regional banks.”