Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

ABA welcomes Opposition’s decision to block SA bank tax

3 July 2017

Adelaide, 3 July 2017: The Australian Bankers’ Association welcomes the decision by the South Australian Liberal Party to oppose the proposed State Bank Tax in the South Australian Parliament.

“We welcome this sensible decision by the Opposition because it is in the interests of all South Australians,” ABA Executive Director Tony Pearson said today.

“The growing outcry from South Australians about this tax shows they understand it would have a serious impact on ordinary households and the cost of doing business in their state.

“The SA bank tax is bad policy. It is bad for bank customers, shareholders and employees. It is bad for business, investment, jobs and growth in South Australia. And it will impact on all Australians as it affects offshore investor confidence and appetite to invest in our nation.

“The SA Bank Tax would also place South Australians at a competitive disadvantage to the rest of Australia, at a time when it can least afford to be and when economic policies are needed to attract investment, drive growth and create jobs in the state.

“The banking industry wants to work with South Australians to grow their business, which will deliver greatly needed new investment, create new business opportunities and deliver new jobs.”

Mr Pearson said it was important all MPs, the Opposition, Independent and Government members consider the interests of South Australia’s future when it comes to making a decision on how they vote in the Parliament on the SA Bank Tax.

ENDSContact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677 or Nic Frankham 0435 963 913

@austbankers

bankers.asn.au

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks urge Aussies to stay Census safe as scammers look to cash in
10 August 2026

Australian banks are warning households to be on the look-out for Census related scams as criminals look to get their hands on personal and financial information.  Key tips for staying Census safe:  ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were on high alert for scams as criminals look to cash in on this week’s Census. “The… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview with ABC Sydney’s Thomas Oriti on offset accounts
29 July 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio Sydney29 July 2026 Topics: ASIC report into offset accounts Thomas Oriti: Do you have an offset account? I think most people with a mortgage do. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s an account that’s linked to your mortgage and it saves you interest. So, I’ll give you an example…. Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview with ABC News 24’s Ros Childs on offset accounts
29 July 2026

E&OETV InterviewABC News29 July 2026. Topics: ASIC report into offset accounts Ros Childs: Borrowers are being advised to check if they have paid more interest than they should following an ASIC review. The two-year review conducted by the corporate watchdog has found weaknesses in how eight banks monitored and managed offset accounts, resulting in borrowers… Read more »

Read more