MEMBER for Mildura Jade Benham has welcomed the announcement by Westpac to delay the closure of 20 regional and suburban branches across four States, including the branch in Robinvale.
The closure, planned for May, has been suspended until the outcome of a Senate Inquiry which is examining the impacts on communities that are rural.
Jade said the closures are more than just a bank closing causing inconvenience for the community that use the service; it’s the symbolism of another door closing in rural Victoria.
Jade, who resides in Robinvale, said, if it happened, the branch termination would be the third bank closure that has impacted on the town in recent years.
The Member for Mildura has been vocal in advocating against the closure in her electorate and on Wednesday morning expressed her displeasure with the decision on 3AW.
She explained to Neil Mitchell and his audience how the service was not only vital to residents of Robinvale, including the elderly, but also the seasonal transient workers.
Today, just over 24 hours after her appearance on radio, the announcement was made to postpone the branch termination.
“I am incredibly pleased to hear of the decision to pause the bank closure and I hope that common sense prevails in the outcome of the enquiry and the Robinvale Westpac branch continues to benefit and serve the community for many years to come,” Jade said.
