Terms of reference

On 8 February 2023, the following matter was referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 1December2023. [Extended to 24 May 2024]

The current extent of bank closures in regional Australia, with reference to:

(a)the branch closure process, including the reasons given for closures;

(b)the economic and welfare impacts of bank closures on customers and regional communities;

(c)the effect of bank closures or the removal of face-to-face cash services on access to cash;

(d)the effectiveness of government banking statistics capturing and reporting regional service levels, including the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority's authorised deposit-taking institutions points of presence data;

(e)consideration of solutions; and

(f)any other related matters.