Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

ABA welcomes solid Budget in challenging times

<strong>ABA welcomes solid Budget in challenging times</strong>

25 October 2022

The Australian Banking Association (ABA) tonight welcomes the first Budget from the Albanese Government which looks to chart a steady course through the challenging economic environment.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has set out that this Budget is focussed on ensuring a resilient economy and support for families.

The Budget deficit has improved to $36.9 billion, down from the $78 billion previously predicted in the March budget and the April pre-election fiscal update.

As noted by the Treasurer, international factors are creating uncertainty in the Australian economy, so a prudent approach is appropriate at this time.

“Tonight’s Budget is set against a worsening global economic outlook, with many risks weighing on the economy. Against this backdrop, the Government has laid the foundations to put Australia on a solid footing, whilst continuing support for important initiatives.”

ABA CEO, Anna Bligh

The ABA also welcomes the following important initiatives:

  • Significant commitments to providing more housing for Australians;
  • Additional resources to review the regulatory framework for managed investment schemes;
  • Funding towards the establishment of a new National Anti-Scam Centre to help protect consumers against financial crime; and
  • New funding towards the development of climate reporting standards, which will help to address climate change.

“The Government’s commitment to establish a national scams centre and review managed investment schemes is an overdue and very welcome investment in protecting customers from financial harm.”

ABA CEO, Anna Bligh

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on ABC Illawarra with Melinda James on money mules
22 July 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Illawarra22 July 2026. Topics: Buying and selling of bank accounts; Efforts to combat money laundering; Scam prevention efforts by banks Melinda James: Well, this is a big and growing problem. There were 13,000 bank accounts shut down by the four major Australian banks in the financial year 2023–24. So, how big a problem… Read more »

Read more
Speech
ABA opening statement to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee: Cash Distribution Framework Bill 2026
21 July 2026

Thank you for the opportunity to appear alongside our friends and colleagues at COBA today.   The Cash Distribution Framework Bills are a critical step to provide security to the long-term availability of cash in Australia.   Our written submission sets out our position in detail. Today I will focus on a few key points.  The banking industry is committed to ensuring that Australians who… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on 2SM with Tim Webster on the buying and selling of bank accounts
21 July 2026

E&OERadio Interview2SM Sydney21 July 2026. Topics: Buying and selling of bank accounts; Efforts to combat money laundering Tim Webster: Look, we spoke to Peter Price from Crime Stoppers, the boss at Crime Stoppers, about this banking mules. I mean, this ridiculous situation where the young ones are coerced into being, you know, money mules and… Read more »

Read more