|
BANKING INDUSTRY ACKNOWLEDGES THE
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER’S PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES
Sydney, 23 June, 2005: The Australian Bankers’ Association (ABA) acknowledges the important public policy initiatives which Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals, John Anderson, has developed on behalf of farmers and rural and regional communities.
The public policy issues include:
- The Farm Management Deposits Scheme which provides farmers with an effective tax-linked savings mechanism to allow them to set aside pre-tax income from the good years to help them better manage their businesses during the more difficult years.
- The National Water Initiative which is the strategy to improve water management across Australia. Australia’s highly variable and often scarce water resources are crucial for our economic, social and environmental wellbeing. Mr Anderson understood the need to improve the productivity and efficiency of our water use - balancing the need to protect farmers’ water rights while maintaining healthy river and groundwater systems.
- The extension of GiroPost services to provide banking services at additional licensed post offices in rural and remote Australia. Australia Post provides critical banking services to many rural communities through its GiroPost system.
- The FarmBis program which provides financial assistance to primary producers and rural land managers to undertake business and natural resource management training and education activities.
David Bell, Chief Executive of the ABA, said: “John Anderson will continue to play an important role, no doubt providing his counsel based on his wealth of experience as Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationals.”
“The banking industry looks forward to continuing to work and consult with Mr Anderson and his National Party colleagues on the important public policy issues dealing with financial services for rural and regional Australia.”
For further information:
Heather Wellard
Director, ABA Public Relations
Phone: 02 8298 0411
Mobile: 0409 830 439
ENDS
| |
|