20 March 2023
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) welcomes the opportunity to provide this submission to the Senate Select Committee on Cost of Living’s (Committee) inquiry into the cost of living pressures facing Australians, ways to ease the cost of living and the Government’s fiscal policy response (Inquiry).
Banks are aware of the challenges Australians face in the current inflationary environment, which have arisen from a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, high household savings, pent-up demand, and global factors, including supply chain constraints and the war in Ukraine. To curb inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), alongside other central banks globally, have responded by tightening monetary policy. The increases in the target cash rate have had flow-on effects to the cost of banking and living for Australian consumers.
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The ABA appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the RBA’s Review of Merchant Payment Costs and Surcharging (Proposals Paper).
The ABA thanks ASIC for the opportunity to comment on its discussion paper on the dynamics between public and private markets.
The ABA welcomes APRA providing clarity on the proposed targeted changes for Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt obligations and the constructive approach it is taking on this consultation.