Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For my first 90-second statement of the 48th Parliament, I was hoping to speak on a positive topic but, once again, it's all about the decline of banking services in regional Australia. This time, it's concerning the potential closure of the Bendigo Bank agency in my hometown of Taroom, in Central Queensland. I'm beyond disappointed in this decision by the corporates at Bendigo Bank. They've got absolutely no understanding of what this closure will mean for my community. On 16 July, over 75 people from Taroom attended an information session presented by the Mundubbera Bendigo community bank board, and residents expressed their concerns about the future viability of community events due to cash-holding and the limitations of telecommunications. The information session also heard from Christie McLennan, the local chemist, who has been supporting the Taroom community with banking services over several years.

It's clear as day that the impact to small businesses, community groups and individuals will be vast and significant if Bendigo Bank walks away from the Taroom community. Bendigo Bank describes itself as 'the better big bank', but actions speak louder than words. The four big banks have agreed to keep their regional branches open until at least 2027, and Bendigo Bank needs to do the same. I'm calling on the bank to put their money where their mouth is and keep this agency open for the community of Taroom.