fbpx
Skip to main content
New Financial Assistance Hub

Call to action to help tackle Elder Financial Abuse

18 June 2018

Australians can now get on board the drive for change to tackle Elder Financial Abuse in a new campaign launched today by the Australian Banking Association, National Seniors, the Council on the Ageing, the Older Persons Advocacy Network and the Finance Sector Union.

The campaign invites Australians to write to their state or territory Attorneys General demanding change to empower bank staff to properly detect and safely report Elder Financial Abuse.

In February, Australia’s banks renewed their push for change and called on the Federal, state and territory governments to have key policy changes decided by Christmas. These changes are:

  • Standardised Power of Attorney orders across state and territories
  • An online register of Power of Attorney Orders
  • A designated safe place for local bank staff and members of the public to report suspected abuse.

CEO of the Australian Banking Association Anna Bligh said this was a chance for all Australians to show their support and call on lawmakers to make the changes needed without further delay.

“While elder abuse can take many forms, elder financial abuse is one of the most common forms and one that local bank branch staff witness regularly,” Ms Bligh said.

“The Australian public can now take part in our campaign by logging onto our website and writing directly to their state or territory or Federal Attorneys General calling on them to take urgent action.

“Bank staff unfortunately all too often see people who are their customers being pressured to give access to their accounts, all too often see their accounts being drained by family members, by friends that they trust and care about.

“This is a really difficult, complex problem, but there are things that can be done about it.

“We need a standardised power of attorney order, with an online register and a designated safe place to report suspected abuse to help address this growing problem in our community.

“Australian banks, along with seniors’ groups and the Financial Services Union, are calling on the Federal Government and the states and territories to take these actions to empower local branch staff to detect and report suspected Elder Financial Abuse.

“The last meeting of Attorneys General was an important step in taking action, however every day we delay the problem continues and grows in our community,” she said.

To get on board with the campaign go to dev2.ausbanking.ds1.pensoagency.com/elderabuse and show your support.

ENDS
Contact: Rory Grant 0475 741 007

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Early signs of success in war against scammers 
15 March 2024

The Australian Banking Association welcomes the release today of a new report from the National Anti-Scam Centre showing that industry and government measures to tackle scams are protecting more Australians.     The latest quarterly report shows that overall scam losses in the 2023 December quarter were down by 43% compared to the same quarter last year.  … Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome Federal Government’s commitment to a regulatory roadmap 
11 March 2024

The Australian Banking Association welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to introduce a financial sector regulatory initiatives grid.   ABA CEO Anna Bligh said providing a clearer picture of the future regulatory landscape would allow the Government to implement policy initiatives whilst at the same time reducing the compliance burden on industry.   “Banks recognise that regulation is vitally important… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Financial safety front of mind this International Women’s Day 
8 March 2024

This International Women’s Day, the Australian Banking Association has reaffirmed the sector’s unwavering commitment to protecting women’s financial safety and security.     In Australia, one in six women will experience financial abuse over the course of their lifetime. The 2024 IWD theme “Count Her In” is an opportunity to talk about the types of financial abuse… Read more »

Read more