Alternative means of providing banking and like services in regional Australia
Media Releases

Media release, 16 July 1998

REGIONAL BANKING INQUIRY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING IN DARWIN

The Traditional Credit Union, Local Government, the Northern Territory Government and the Outback Digital Network will appear before the influential House of Representatives Financial Institutions Committee on Thursday 16 July. This public hearing is part of a wide-ranging inquiry into alternative banking for regional Australia being conducted by the Committee.

David Hawker MP, Chairman of the Committee, said, "In Darwin we are interested in canvassing a range of issues to ensure that Australians in regional and remote areas have continued access to those financial services which are essential features of modern living." "In the Northern Territory there are a large number of people living in regional and remote areas. Of a population of approximately 200 000, around 35 000 live in regional townships and a further 45 000 live in remote locations. The Committee is most interested in investigating ways to enable these people, and those in a similar position in other areas of the country, to have continued access financial services."

"The Traditional Credit Union has been successful in providing innovative financial services to remote communities. They are developing special remote area electronic software and a plastic card facility using their own EFTPOS machines. We are interested in discussing these developments and whether the credit union can provide a model for other remote areas."

"The Committee is interested in talking to both the Northern Territory Government and the Local Government Association. Local and State or Territory governments have an important role to play in this issue. Local Councils in particular are at the coalface of this issue and are often the driving force behind efforts to maintain financial services in their communities. A number of State governments are also active is assisting communities find suitable banking alternatives. In most cases communities know what they need and it is a matter of government and the banking industry providing avenues for communities to access available alternatives. We are interested in exploring the ways in which government, at all levels, can assist in this issue."

Mr Hawker added, "The Committee has so far been very successful in raising the profile of this important issue. The recent seven-point proposal put to the Committee by the Australian Banker's Association is evidence that the banks are now aware of just how important bank 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
9 July 1998
Further information: David Hawker MP (Chairman) 02 - 6277 4837
Janet Connaughton (Inquiry Secretary) 02 - 6277 2375
e-mail: EFPA.Reps@aph.gov.au

Details of Program and Committee membership attached
PUBLIC HEARINGS PROGRAM
DARWIN 16 July 1998

Venue
Litchefield Room
Parliament House
Mitchell Street
DARWIN NT 0801

9.00 - 9.45am Traditional Credit Union
9.45 - 10.30am Local Government Association of the Northern Territory
10.30 - 11.00am Northern Territory Government (Department of Asian Relations, Trade and Industry)
11.00 - 11.30am Outback Digital Network

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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