Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Banks welcome appointment of first Chief Scams Officer

26 March 2026

The ABA welcomes the appointment of David Lacey to lead the Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s new external scams dispute resolution service.

ABA CEO Simon Birmingham congratulated Mr Lacey on his appointment to this important new role within AFCA.

“Mr Lacey brings extensive experience in law enforcement, in fighting financial crime as well as liaising directly with scam victims to this critical role,” Mr Birmingham said.

“Australia is taking an unprecedented approach to scam prevention by holding telcos and digital platforms alongside banks to account for the actions they take to protect customers from scams.

“This includes a new single body within AFCA, overseen by Mr Lacey, where customers can access free external dispute resolution and where all three sectors will be held to account if they fail to meet obligations to consumers.

“The ABA looks forward to working with AFCA and Mr Lacey as this new external dispute resolution function is stood up. Banks also remain committed to working with all stakeholders as rollout of the broader Scam Prevention Framework progresses.”

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
Simon Birmingham speaks to ABC Radio National on the Australia-EU Trade Deal and benefits for the economy
25 March 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio National Hour24 March 2026. Topics: Australia-EU free trade deal Fran Kelly (Host): Total two-way trade between Australia and the EU was worth nearly $110 billion in the last financial year, and this Free Trade Agreement is expected to be worth an extra 10 billion in the first year alone. But farmers are… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
JOINT INDUSTRY STATEMENT: Australia–EU Agreements Deliver Opportunity Across the Economy
24 March 2026

Leading Australian business, industry, investment and peak body organisations welcome the conclusion of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of the Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership, and the decision to fast-track negotiations for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. These outcomes provide much-needed clarity and confidence at a time when businesses, investors, and researchers… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham on the economic contribution of banks: transcript of interview on FiveAA
17 March 2026

E&OE Radio Interview FiveAA Breakfast with David Penberthy and Will Goodings  17 March 2026.  Topics: Tax paid by Australian banks; RBA Powers to regulate big tech   David Penberthy (Host): Well, it’s a big amount of money, $16 billion that’s how much tax Australia’s biggest banks paid last year. And at the same time, organisations like Apple, Google and Meta, you think about the ease with which and the frequency with which we… Read more »

Read more