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Andrews challenged to support bank
Liberal candidate for the State seat of Peats, Cr Debra Wales, has called on sitting Member Ms Marie Andrews to make a pledge of support for the new community bank on the Peninsula, rather than "wave around a useless petition" about a branch closure.
"Surely Ms Andrews did not honestly expect that simply writing to the Commonwealth Bank requesting they reconsider the closure would actually change their minds," said Cr Wales.
She was commenting on Ms Andrews' criticism of the Commonwealth Bank for closing its Ettalong branch, reported in Peninsula News (July 30).
"The recent closure of the Commonwealth Bank at Ettalong Beach was indeed a blow to the town and an unfortunate sign of the times, as banks look to fatten profits at the expense of face-to-face service," said Cr Wales.
"However, for our State Member, Marie Andrews, to lament the closure and wave around a useless petition is too little too late.
"To then attack the Federal Government about the lack of banking regulations was a real cheap shot.
"Ms Andrews should remember that it was her very own Federal Labor counterparts that sold off the Commonwealth Bank in the first place.
"But significantly, while Ms Andrews tables petitions in Parliament and runs around blaming the Federal Government, the Ettalong Beach community have actually done something about the problem by starting the process of forming their own Community Bendigo Bank.
"I am proud to be part of that group and experience the energy and enthusiasm that these people have for solving problems," said Cr Wales.
"As has been shown in many other towns across New South Wales, community banks are a great way to return banking infrastructure to centres that have been deserted by the major banks.
"It is fine to lament the passing of the last bank and we should quite rightly be outraged at the loss.
"But now is the time to get on with solving the problem and make sure that the push to restore banking services is successful."
This could be done by sending pledges of financial support to the Community Bendigo Bank steering committee, through Cr Wales on 4342 7510.
"A pledge from Ms Andrews would be a wonderful surprise," she said.