Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Government consultation on BEAR not good enough

22 September 2017

Statement from Anna Bligh, Australian Bankers’ Association Chief Executive:

“The seven day consultation period announced by the Federal Government on new banking executive accountability laws is grossly inadequate and playing fast and loose with a critical sector of the economy.

“The industry recognises that improving senior executive accountability is crucial for customers to have trust in banks.

“Banks want to work with the Federal Government to get this right, but just seven days to consult is not good enough.

“This is a significant piece of reform that impacts on the integrity of banks and the stability of the financial system and it needs thorough scrutiny.

“It’s an entirely new addition to the system of corporate governance in Australia. The Government’s timeframe risks serious unintended consequences.

“The ABA urges the Government to extend the consultation period and do the proper due diligence to ensure that the objective of improving senior executive accountability is met.”

ENDS

Contact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677

@austbankers

bankers.asn.au

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
ABA CEO doorstop with 9 News on regional banking
9 October 2026

E&OEDoorstop9 News8 October 2026 Topics: Credit card surcharging ban Journalist: The Greens say that to solve this issue, the banks should be paying the credit card surcharge. What’s your response to that? Simon Birmingham: Having a safe, modern, secure payment system does come with huge costs, but banks are already cutting payment fees by around… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO interview with 2GB’s Michael McLaren on regional banking
8 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview on 2GB8 October 2026 Topics: Regional banking Michael McLaren: You may have seen the story today, the Australian Banking Association has put forward an idea to address the declining presence of our top banks in rural Australia. In fact, regional bank branch numbers have declined by 38 per cent since 2017. So, there… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO interview with ABC News Radio’s Sarah Morice on regional banking
8 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewInterview on ABC News Radio8 October 2026 Topics: Regional banking Sarah Morice: Australia’s banks are seeking permission to team up in the bush. The Australian Banking Association has asked the competition watchdog for an exemption from competition law, so that several banks can share a single physical branch in regional towns. Now, if you… Read more »

Read more