Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Senator Gallagher. Australians in regional and rural areas play a crucial role in contributing to our nation's prosperity, including in my home state of Tasmania. From agriculture, mining, energy and tourism—key regional industries—to local small businesses, these communities drive jobs, investment and growth across the country. How will today's announcement by the Albanese Labor government protect access to essential banking services that regional communities rely upon, and how is the national footprint of Australia Post's trusted branch network being harnessed to meet the evolving needs of regional customers and businesses?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Urquhart for the question and for all the work she does, particularly for regional communities on the north-west coast of Tasmania and for her home state of Tasmania. It's an important announcement—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know the opposition don't want to hear about this, because they did nothing about regional bank—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order across the chamber!

Senator Colbeck, I'm not quite sure which part of 'order across the chamber' you think doesn't apply to you.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm astounded that those opposite don't want to hear what we're doing to make sure that people who live in regional communities can have access to banking services and to make sure that their needs are being met, particularly after the hundreds and hundreds of bank closures that those opposite oversaw when they were in government. Perhaps what Senator Cash referred to earlier, about having to sit on their hands, is really summing up the former government. They did sit on their hands a lot. That's why we've inherited a lot of challenges and problems that we've been methodically working through as the Albanese Labor government.

We believe that banks have a responsibility to regional communities, and we're holding them to it. I acknowledge the work of Minister Rowland, the Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer in all of the discussions that they've had with the banks and with Australia Post to make sure that Bank@Post is able, resourced and supported to do the job where those banking services have been withdrawn. We acknowledge that those communities, like the ones that you represent, Senator Urquhart, on the north-west coast of Tasmania, play a critical role in Australia's economy, and we are standing up for them to make sure that they continue to access the banking services they need.

Opposition senators interjecting—

There's a lot of shouting from those opposite. I would have thought they would have welcomed the moratorium on the closing of banks. I thought they would have welcomed the agreement to have that trusted Australia Post delivering services to make sure that people get them close to where they live, but no. Sitting on their hands alright—that's all they did. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, first supplementary?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm the Albanese Labor government has secured a new moratorium on regional bank branch closures from participating banks, including NAB's new commitment and extensions by the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac? And can you confirm this ensures communities across regional Australia will continue to have access to face-to-face banking services for consumers and small businesses with no closures until 2027?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Urquhart for the question. Yes, I can confirm that the Albanese government has secured new moratorium arrangements on regional bank closures from a number of key banks, including a new commitment from NAB and extensions by the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac. This ensures no closures before 31 July 2027 in regional communities serviced by those banks. This is a major win for regional Australians, who have been advocating strongly, and their government has listened. We have acted and we have reached agreement to make sure that moratorium is in place. We've stepped in. We've not sat on our hands like the former government did, and we have worked with stakeholders to make sure we can get the best outcome for regional communities. This is the best outcome: a moratorium on closures and making sure that Bank@Post is funded and resourced appropriately to do the job that it needs to do.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Urquhart, second supplementary?

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In addition to keeping banking services available in the regions, how does this announcement—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why didn't you go to the inquiry?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Seriously, Senator McKenzie! I intend to remind you of standing order 203. I have, quite frankly, lost count of the number of times I've had to call you to order today.

Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How does this announcement build on the Albanese Labor government's broader work to strengthen financial services and protect consumers? How are the government's reforms, whether it's improving access to financial advice, cracking down on scams or strengthening consumer protections, giving Australians greater confidence to engage with the finance system and plan for their future?

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Canavan and Senator Watt, I remind both of you of standing order 203. Seriously! Come to order!

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Urquhart for that supplementary. The announcement builds on the Albanese government's ongoing work to ensure the banking sector works for all Australians. We're helping farmers and small-business owners in regional areas plan for their future by improving access to affordable financial advice and making it easier to navigate the challenge they face, whether it's managing cash flow or planning for their retirement. Scams prevention, again, is something we're investing in heavily—something that those opposite didn't do. We've now got the moratorium on regional bank closures. We are standing up for regional communities.

We know there's a person over from that side of the chamber in the other place that's in witness protection right now. He's not allowed to stand up for regional communities. Poor old Barnaby! He just wants to be let out.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order across the chamber!

Once again, Senator Colbeck! I call the chamber to order and you still continue. You are incredibly disrespectful. If you can't listen in silence, leave the chamber. Senator Cash, on a point of order?

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you could, ask the minister—as they always do to us—when referring to a member of the other place, to refer to them by their proper title, please.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cash. I'm sure that you are fully aware that it is always my practice to remind senators of that. Minister Gallagher, I do remind you of that.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, then I say poor Mr Joyce. There he is, wanting to stand up and speak up for regional communities, and he's locked up. Free Mr Joyce! Let him speak!