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 appointment of first Chief Scams Officer
26 March 2026

The ABA welcomes the appointment of David Lacey to lead the Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s new external scams dispute resolution service. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham congratulated Mr Lacey on his appointment to this important new role within AFCA. “Mr Lacey brings extensive experience in law enforcement, in fighting financial crime as well as liaising directly… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
Simon Birmingham speaks to ABC Radio National on the Australia-EU Trade Deal and benefits for the economy
25 March 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio National Hour24 March 2026. Topics: Australia-EU free trade deal Fran Kelly (Host): Total two-way trade between Australia and the EU was worth nearly $110 billion in the last financial year, and this Free Trade Agreement is expected to be worth an extra 10 billion in the first year alone. But farmers are… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
JOINT INDUSTRY STATEMENT: Australia–EU Agreements Deliver Opportunity Across the Economy
24 March 2026

Leading Australian business, industry, investment and peak body organisations welcome the conclusion of the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement, the establishment of the Australia–EU Security and Defence Partnership, and the decision to fast-track negotiations for Australia’s association with Horizon Europe. These outcomes provide much-needed clarity and confidence at a time when businesses, investors, and researchers… Read more »

Read more