Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Budget gets balance right for continued recovery

11 May 2021

Australian banks welcome this recovery focussed Budget as they continue to help their customers bounce back from the pandemic.

The 2021/2022 Federal Budget contains a welcome mix of support and investment incentives to assist households and businesses across Australia.

“The extension of business tax incentives will power the economic recovery”, said ABA CEO Anna Bligh.

“Banks have registered a major uptick in lending for equipment purchases by businesses all over the country. Tonight’s extension of temporary full expensing and loss carry-back will keep that trend going.”

The budget also includes welcome measures to further assist first homebuyers and single parents to enter the property market.

“The extension of business tax incentives will power the economic recovery”

ABA CEO Anna Bligh

The ABA also supports the Government’s continued investment in the Digital Economy Strategy, including an extra $111 million for the Consumer Data Right.

“It’s vital that this investment is backed up with legislation to modernise business communications, including through the permanent use of electronic signatures”, Ms Bligh said.

“This will improve the customer experience and streamline documentation processes. These reforms are long overdue and it’s time to expedite the planned reform.”

“Australian banks partnered with the Government throughout the pandemic. With this solid mix of investment and support for households and businesses, that collaboration is set to continue during the recovery, to the advantage of all Australians”, Ms Bligh said.


Data: banks bolster business through COVID

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks step up protections for customers experiencing financial abuse
17 September 2026

Banks will better detect, prevent and respond to financial abuse under an updated industry guideline released today by the Australian Banking Association. The ABA has brought together separate resources on financial abuse, including elder abuse and family and domestic violence into a single framework, building on existing industry guidance and supporting the financial abuse provisions… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Preparing for the removal of card surcharging
14 September 2026

The ABA and its member banks are reminding businesses to make sure they are ready for the upcoming Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) card surcharge reforms which take effect from 1 October 2026. These changes mean: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were supporting business customers to prepare for these changes, along with implementing the… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on News24 with Kieran Gilbert
11 September 2026

E&OETV InterviewInterview on News24 with Kieran Gilbert11 September 2026 Topics: Mortgage fraud; card surcharging ban; immigration  Kieran Gilbert: Let’s turn our attention now to one of the biggest financial crime syndicates in Australian history. I want to talk about the implications for our banking system with the CEO of the Banking Association, Simon Birmingham. Simon,… Read more »

Read more