First, it’s decision time for our new nuclear subs. I agree with Peter Dutton that we would be foolish to go for a UK boat, as it took the UK a long time to build the Astute-class submarines, which were plagued with difficulties. The only real option is the US Virginia class, despite its large size. I suggest we either offer to help the US financially to open a third construction yard in the US, or perhaps they could help us finance an expansion of our Adelaide yard to build boats for both the USN and the RAN here, starting now. There is much potential in either option.
Just as nuclear subs epitomise new technology, so do internet banking and the use of computers rather than good old-fashioned counter staff to do our banking.
Indeed, most Australians now use the internet to bank.
Our big banks make huge profits. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia posted a $5 billion profit in the last six months. However, all banks have a statutory obligation to the whole Australian community.
The community includes elderly people, people with disabilities, and technologically challenged people who can’t use internet banking, and in many cases rely for their financial survival on that interaction with bank staff at rapidly closing local branches. The internet is also not totally secure …
Over the last few years, I have spoken to numerous local bank staff who regard moves to close local branches as folly in the extreme. Not only are their jobs threatened, but many old and often vulnerable customers will be at a loss as to how to access their money, be told of the best interest deals going, and miss out on opportunities they have every right to access.
My family and I lived in Macgregor until 2014, and my wife and I used to bank at the St George and Commonwealth banks at Kippax and Jamison. Those banks are now closed, and there are no banks at those two group centres. Jason Taylor, local Belco Party candidate for Gungahlin and former police officer, tells me there are no banks in the northern suburbs, only at the Gungahlin town centre. (He’s starting a petition, I understand.) On the south side, I used to bank at the St George Bank at Manuka. It closed, and I went to Fyshwick. It closed, as will the Commonwealth Bank there this Friday, leaving no banks in Fyshwick. I go to Queanbeyan now to bank at St George.
I can’t really quibble with some bank closures, but surely, we need banks at least in our larger suburban group centres such as Casey, Kippax, Jamison, Manuka, and Fyshwick. It’s not like the big banks can’t afford it.
I would urge concerned citizens to Google the current Senate inquiry into closing banks, write to your local federal reps, and sign any petitions on this issue to send the federal government a clear message that we want to keep our local banks and friendly helpful human staff therein.
