Regional bank branches are going the way of the Tasmanian Tiger and Scott Morrison is letting it happen.
 
New data from APRA confirms an acceleration of branch closures in regional and remote Australia on this Government’s watch.
 
Almost 600 branches in regional towns and cities have shut their doors since 2017.
 
They also losing ATMs at a rapid rate and often experiencing restricted opening times at remaining branches.
 
The Prime Minister’s response is classic Morrison: all spin and zero responsibility.
 
He established a taskforce, talked tough about holding the banks to account, and promised regional Australians he was on their side.
 
But since then, there have been dozens more branch closures: Wynyard, Ulverston, Scottsdale, St Mary’s, Ingham, Rockhampton, Mackay, Moranbah, Clermont, Sarina, Collinsville, Middlemount, Dapto, Ulladulla, Cooma, Forster, Casino, Cootamundra, Leeton, Kempsey, Salamander Bay, Bacchus Marsh, Lakes Entrance, Wongan Hills, Basendean, Baldivis, Beverly, Blayney and Molong just to name a few.
 
Local bank branches are part of the economic lifeblood of regional communities.
 
Elderly residents, community groups who rely on small cash donations and families and businesses who the Government has denied adequate access to the NBN all rely on their local bank branch for their daily banking needs.
 
They don’t want more hot air from Scott Morrison.
 
They want someone who’s prepared to take on the banks and fight for the services they need.