Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Have your say on the SA bank tax

25 September 2017

South Australians are being given the opportunity to voice their concerns about the Government’s plan for a new tax on banks.

The Australian Bankers’ Association’s new website – jobsnottaxes.com.au – launched today, invites the people of South Australia to email local members of Parliament to take a stand against the tax.

“South Australia needs jobs to grow its economy, not new taxes that will undermine this objective,” ABA Chief Executive Anna Bligh said.

“Over the past 10 years, full time jobs in South Australia grew by an average of 0.2 per cent per year, compared with 0.9 per cent across Australia.”

A new statewide Galaxy poll1 conducted this month shows that 52 per cent of South Australians oppose the tax compared with only 38 per cent who support it. Half of people surveyed believe the tax would negatively impact on jobs in the state.

The website also features new television ads with members of the South Australian community urging the Government to dump the tax and focus on jobs and growth.

“In 2016, the five banks impacted by the proposed tax paid around $1.5 billion in dividends to shareholders in South Australia and lent $10 billion to South Australians to buy their own home,” Ms Bligh said.

“This is a tax on all South Australians and will impact shareholders, customers and bank employees,” she said.

ENDS

Contact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677

@austbankers

1 Galaxy surveyed 801 people in South Australia between 8 – 12 September 2017 via telephone and online.

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks welcome more progress to modernise payments system rules
9 October 2025

The ABA welcomes today’s release of the exposure draft legislation to modernise the regulation of payment service providers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the proposed reforms represent another important step towards ensuring Australia’s payments system remains safe, secure and fit-for-purpose. “Australians now have access to a range of payment options and no matter how they… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Finalisation of independent pricing model report to support cash distribution
3 October 2025

Deloitte Access Economics has now determined its recommended regulated pricing model for Armaguard’s Cash-in-Transit services. The final independent pricing mechanism report has been provided to Armaguard as well as the major banks and major retailers.  This is an important milestone in working to keep cash available around Australia, even while people are using less of… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara
24 September 2025

E&OERadio InterviewABC RN Breakfast with Sally SaraWednesday, 24 September 2025. Sally Sara (Host): Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock has hit out at Australia’s big four banks for standing in the way of making shopping cheaper for customers. The RBA wants to ban surcharges on card payments. To fund the ban, it wants to dramatically cut… Read more »

Read more