Media release, 27 July 1998
WESPAC CEO TO MEET WITH PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE IN CANOWINDRA
The CEO of Westpac, Mr Bob Joss, will meet with the influential House
of Representatives Financial Institutions Committee on Monday 27 July.
The Committee will be inspecting the operation of a Westpac third party
agency. The Committee also expects Westpac to outline measures it is implementing
to maintain financial services in regional and remote areas.
The Chairman of the Committee, David Hawker MP, said, "The Committee
is looking forward to meeting Mr Joss in Canowindra. His attendance is
an indication of the importance the banks now appear to be putting on
rural and regional banking. It also highlights the significance of the
work undertaken by this Committee in ensuring that the bush has continued
access to a full range of banking services."
"We are interested in seeing the Wespac third party agency arrangement
and we will be asking for more details about Westapc's recent deal with
the Tasmanian Government to provide banking services through government
service agencies. These proposals are among a range of banking alternatives
that the Committee is investigating in this inquiry. It is a positive
development to see banks and government cooperating to provide access
to banking services in rural areas."
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
27 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
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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