Media Release from Andrew Gee MP
 NAB refuses to reverse decision to axe Lithgow and Oberon branches

February 15, 2024

Independent Federal member for Calare, Andrew Gee, said that it was extremely disappointing that the National Australia Bank has refused to reverse its decision to close branches in Lithgow and Oberon.

"Today I met with NAB representatives at Parliament House in Canberra and asked them to reverse their decision to axe their Lithgow and Oberon branches. They refused, which is true to form but nevertheless is extremely disappointing to say the least. I also asked them whether they would keep their ATM facility open at Lithgow and open one up at Oberon," Mr Gee said.

"For Lithgow, they wouldn't go so far as to make a commitment, saying they wanted to but that it was dependant on there being an available site. For Oberon, they just ruled it out. They offered nothing in that meeting that they haven't already said. While I give them some credit for turning up to meet with me, it honestly felt like they were just going through the motions.

"I don't think these banks have a real understanding of the distances that country people have to travel if they want to access a branch. There is little thought given to seniors and vulnerable customers who don't have access to transport. They have a very city-centric attitude.

"To access face-to-face banking, NAB customers in Oberon will be forced to complete a 90km to 100km round trip to Bathurst, while NAB customers in Lithgow must make an approximately 80km to 90km round trip to the Katoomba branch, or head to Bathurst which is a round trip of about 125km.

See also - National Bank branches to close in Oberon and Lithgow

"The infuriating thing about this is that last year NAB made a massive profit of $7.7 billion. That eye watering profit has been made possible by shutting branches in country areas that have supported the bank through the generations and made the bank what it is today.

"Despite the glossy ads, the big banks are walking away from the very communities who built them and it just keeps on going. Not even the current parliamentary inquiry has slowed them down. The closures just keep on coming.

"They deny it, but the banks have been deliberately downgrading the level of service in their branches to get more and more people using online or phone banking.

"As they downgrade their branches and fewer people come through the door, it makes it easy for them to put out a press release trying to justify branch closures and telling people to "go to the post office." It's a cop-out and right out of the big bank play book.

"The only thing the big banks fear is government regulation and that's why the Australian Government needs to get on with legislating minimum service requirements for banks in country areas," said Mr Gee.

---