Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public
Administration
Media release, 28 July 1998
BANK INQUIRY TO STUDY USE OF SMART CARD BY ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY
The House of Representatives Financial Institutions Committee will be
visiting Wyndham, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome to meet with local communities
on 10 - 11 August as part of its wide ranging inquiry into alternative
banking for regional Australia.
The Chairman of the Committee, David Hawker MP, said, "We will be talking
to a number of Shire Councils in the region. Local governments are at
the coalface of this issue and are often the driving force behind efforts
to maintain financial services in their communities. East Kimberley/Wyndham
Shire has responded to the closure of its bank by becoming an agent for
that bank. We are interested in exploring this alternative and other ideas
Shire Councils may have on this issue."
"We are also interested in studying the Bardi Aboriginal Association's
innovative response to the banking needs of the One Arm Point community.
The Bardi Aborigines Association is currently developing a system within
the community utilising smart card technology. We are very interested
in seeing their progress and its potential for wider use."
The Committee will also be hearing from the Kimberley Development Commission
and the Broome Shire Council. "These visits will enable the Committee
to hear the views of the communities directly. We value community comments
and suggestions. This helps build a complete picture of the situation
in regional and remote areas," Mr Hawker said.
Mr Hawker added, "The Committee has so far been very successful in raising
the profile of this important issue. Recent commitments by the Australian
Banker's Association, and the ANZ and Westpac banks is evidence that the
banks are now aware of just how important financial services are to regional
and remote Australia. We are committed to finding the best possible solutions
for people in rural and remote areas. Visiting regional areas allows the
Committee to explore as many alternatives as possible."
Release ends
11 August 1998
Further information: David Hawker MP (Chairman) 02 - 6277 4837
Janet Connaughton (Inquiry Secretary) 02 - 6277 2375
e-mail: EFPA.Reps@aph.gov.au
PUBLIC MEETINGS PROGRAM
WYNDHAM, FITZROY CROSSING AND BROOME
10 - 11 AUGUST 1998
Monday 10 August
WYNDHAM
Venue
Shire of East Kimberley Offices
Wyndham
1.45 - 4.00 pm Meeting with Shire of East Kimberley/Wyndham. Meeting
with general public.
Tuesday, 11 August 1998
Fitzroy Crossing
Venue
Fitzroy Crossing Library, Flynn Drive, Fitzroy Crossing
10.30 - 12.30 nn Round table discussion with representatives from
the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley and Shire of Halls Creek.
ONE ARM POINT
3.15 - 5.15 pm At One Arm Point
Tour of the community including community store.
Presentation by Quentin Bruce and Stephen Alexander on a Smartcard pilot
project.
Round Table discussion with representatives from the Bardi Community and
other Communities on the Dampier Peninsula.
Secretariat contact details:
The Secretary
Standing Committee on Financial Institutions and Public Administration
R1.121
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Telephone: (02) 6277 4587
Facsimile: (02) 6277 4557
Mobile: 0418 434 971
EMail: FIPA.Reps@aph.gov.
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