The Problem: a Crisis in Banking and Postal Services

Many post office operators—especially in rural areas—are past retirement age but cannot sell their businesses due to declining profitability. This leaves communities at risk of losing their only access to postal services, bill payments, and basic banking. The current banking options at Post Offices are limited, functioning more like an ATM than a real banking service. Customers can only withdraw or deposit cash and check their balance, but essential services like changing a PIN, adding a signatory, or making direct deposits using BSB and account numbers are not available. Australia Post CEO Paul Graham has testified to Senate Estimates that there is ‘no solution for the regions’.

“That is simply unacceptable,” said Ms Hook. “People in Calare and beyond deserve access to face-to-face banking and postal services in their towns, just as much as those in the cities.”

The Solution: A Postal Bank

A government-owned Postal Bank would:

• Guarantee face-to-face banking in regional and rural communities

• Strengthen Australia Post and the Licensed Post Offices network, securingjobs and services

• Ensure people can bank locally, protecting towns from economic decline

  “This is a common-sense solution that would give communities security, independence and better financial services. A publicly owned Postal Bank is about putting people first and building a fairer financial system,” said Ms Hook. “This is a brilliant example of how Independents can work with their communities to find solutions and represent them in the parliament.”

Next steps: Government and Community Working Together

With growing calls for action, Ms Hook is supporting the Postal Bank solution, pushing for further development, costing and modelling by the Federal Government alongside the community members who came up with the idea, as a key election policy for the people of Calare and Australia.

“We cannot allow banks to continue pulling out of regional and rural communities without providing another service in their place. Members of Parliament must step up for their communities, not parties, and ensure Australians—no matter where they live—have access to the essential services they need.”

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