THE importance of regional bank branches was highlighted at the recent Australian Labor Party State Convention, with Limestone Coast parliamentarian Clare Scriven raising issues about the future of work in the finance industry.
The motion, which was moved by Finance Sector Union SA secretary Jason Hall, recognised the challenges facing workers employed in the changing banking sector.
It also sought to declare the banking industry had an obligation to maintain ease of access for customers “regardless of circumstance or location”.
Ms Scriven emphasised the vital role local banks play in country areas, telling the convention access to a bank branch was a crucial service for people in the country.
“Many people in regional areas do not have easy access to the internet, so it is no use to tell them to use online banking instead,” she said.
“In some areas, coverage is patchy at best and in other areas, there is almost no coverage at all.
“Even if there is good internet coverage, not everyone is computer literate.
“While many people in both the cities and regional areas are comfortable with computer use, others are not.”
Ms Scriven said the “digital divide” had significant impacts on regional residents.
“The difference is, in the city, someone can go into their local bank branch,” she said.
“When branches are removed in country areas, there are sometimes no other options.”
The motion was supported by the convention delegates.
