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
Speech
The value of banking: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham’s address to Banking 2026
17 June 2026

ABA CEO Simon Birmingham delivered the following introductory remarks ahead of a panel on the value of banking to the Australian economy, launching new Mandala research, at the 2026 ABA Banking Conference. Our piece of work that has been released today, Mandala providing the intellectual backdrop and analysis to support us in this, the essential… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Economic contribution of Australian banks laid bare in new report
17 June 2026

Surging household ownership of Australian banks, record lending to first home buyers and strong competition helping mortgage holders save up to $2,000 a year are some of the findings of a new report released today. ‘The essential infrastructure: How Australian banks power the economy’ produced by Mandala on behalf of the ABA finds: ABA CEO Simon… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
ABA welcomes changes to streamline the Financial Accountability Regime
16 June 2026

Australian banks welcome today’s proposal from APRA and ASIC to reduce the regulatory burden associated with the Financial Accountability Regime (FAR). ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said this was a sensible measure announced in the 2026-27 Federal Budget to reduce some of the administrative burden placed on banks related to FAR. “This is a commonsense and… Read more »

Read more