Electorate breakdowns - banks
Bass - Liberal (0.4% margin)
Bass has gone from having 11 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975 to just four in March 2022.
Most vulnerable: Two of these centres are down to their last remaining bank with no other form of bank to fall back on: Exeter and George Town (both Commonwealths).
The only other centre outside Launceston to have banks left is Scottsdale and it now only has two banks, a Commonwealth and a Westpac.
Launceston has lost 10 major banks since 1975 but still has multiple ‘big four’ banks, two Bendigo banks, two mutual banks and a franchise.
Banks
Bass had 33 major banks in 1975. That number is now 13 with all but four of these located in one centre, Launceston. The loss of these 20 banks represents a 61 per cent cut to the Bass bank network.
ANZ has closed six branches, leaving two; Commonwealth has closed five leaving six; Westpac has closed nine, leaving three.
NAB has only eve4r had two branches in Bass and both are still open.
Bass has two minor corporate banks, two mutual banks and one franchise. All are in Launceston.
Cunningham - ALP (13.4% margin)
Cunningham had 40 major banks in 1975. That number is now 12 banks, a cut of 70 per cent.
ANZ has closed eight branches, leaving two (one at Figtree has reopened after being temporarily closed); Commonwealth has closed seven leaving five; NAB has closed six leaving three; and Westpac has closed seven leaving two.
Cunningham has three minor corporate banks, two franchises and 14 mutual banks.
Wollongong in total (Cunningham and Whitlam electorates combined) has lost 39 of the 57 banks it had in 1975: 18 remain open. (68 per cent cut). ANZ has closed 11 branches leaving three; Commonwealth has closed 11 leaving seven; NAB has closed seven leaving five and Westpac has closed 10 leaving three.
Cowper - Nationals (11.9% margin)
Cowper has more towns down to their last banks with no backup than it does centres with more than two banks.
There were 13 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975. As of March 2022, six of those locations have lost their last or only bank.
Most vulnerable: Macksville (NAB), Nambucca Heads (COM), South West Rocks (NAB) and Toormina (COM) have just one major bank with no minor banks for fall back on if they close.
Of the three better-serviced centres, one (Kempsey) has three major banks and two (Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie) have all four big banks.
Banks
Cowper had 39 major banks in 1975. That number is now 16, a loss of 23 banks representing a cut of 59 per cent of the Cowper bank network.
ANZ has closed six branches, leaving two; Commonwealth has closed four branches leaving five; NAB has closed six branches leaving five; and Westpac has closed seven branches leaving four.
Cowper has four minor corporate banks and seven mutual banks.
Durack - Liberal (13.5% margin)
Durack had 47 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 30 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and seven towns are down to their last bank.
None of the seven towns that are down to their last bank have a minor bank to fall back on.
Of the 10 better-serviced towns, five have two banks, one has three banks and four have all four big banks plus others.
Most vulnerable: Carnamah (Westpac), Derby (ANZ), Dowerin (NAB), Exmouth (Westpac), Northampton (NAB), Tom Price (Westpac) and Wongan Hills (Westpac).
Banks
Durack had 81 major banks in 1975. That number is now 36, a cut of 55.5 per cent.
ANZ has closed 11 branches, leaving seven; Commonwealth has closed four leaving eight; NAB has closed nine leaving nine; and Westpac has closed 21 leaving 12.
Durack has 11 minor corporate banks and nine franchises.
Farrer - Liberal (19.8% margin)
Farrer had 37 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 25 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and five towns are down to their last bank.
Just one of the five towns that are down to their last bank has a minor bank to fall back on. Of the 25 towns that no longer have a ‘big four’ bank, only five have a minor bank.
Of the seven better-serviced towns, three have two banks, one has three banks and three have all four big banks plus others.
Of all NSW electorates, Farrer has the highest number of towns that have lost all banks (25) and the highest number of towns with one bank (5).
Most vulnerable: Hillston (COM), Holbrook (NAB), Balranald (WESTPAC), Tocumwal and Finley (NABs).
Banks
Farrer had 82 major banks in 1975. That number is now 28, a cut of 66 per cent.
ANZ has closed 11 branches, leaving three; Commonwealth has closed 12 leaving eight; NAB has closed nine leaving 10; and Westpac has closed 22 leaving seven.
Farrer has eight minor corporate banks, 10 mutual banks and six franchises.
Flynn - Nationals (8.7% margin)
Flynn had 28 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of February 2022, 21 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and three towns are down to their last bank.
Of the three towns that are down to their last bank, two have no other form of bank to fall back on.
Of the four better-serviced towns, one has two banks and three have all four big banks plus others.
The most recent closure announced in this electorate is at Tannum Sands, where the Commonwealth will close its branch on April 22, just before the federal election. It will be their last bank gone after ANZ pulled out in 2016.
Most vulnerable: Mundubbera, Biggenden and Gayndah (NABs).
Banks
Flynn had 63 major banks in 1975. That number is now 18 banks, a cut of 71 per cent.
ANZ has closed 9 branches, leaving four; Commonwealth has closed nine leaving three; NAB has closed eight leaving seven; and Westpac has closed 19 leaving four.
Flynn has six minor corporate banks, eight franchises and one mutual bank. Calliope has never had a major bank but has a franchise.
Grey - Liberal (13.3% margin)
Grey had 79 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 63 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and nine towns are down to their last bank.
Of the nine towns that are down to their last bank, six have a minor bank to fall back on.
Of the seven better-serviced towns, two have two major banks, one has three and four have all four big banks plus others.
Most vulnerable: Balaklava (ANZ), Cleve (ANZ), Coober Pedy (Westpac), Roxby Downs (NAB), Streaky Bay (ANZ) and Yorketown (ANZ). Ceduna, Kimba and Minlaton just have an ANZ but there is also a BankSA in these locations.
Banks
Grey had 115 major banks in 1975. That number is now 32, a cut of 72 per cent.
ANZ has closed 43 branches, leaving 14; Commonwealth has closed four leaving five; NAB has closed 22 leaving eight; and Westpac has closed 14 leaving five.
Grey has gone from 41 minor corporate banks in 1975 to 16. It has four mutual banks and three franchises.
Indi - Independent (1.4% margin)
Indi had 29 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of February 2022, 18 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and five towns are down to their last bank.
Of the five towns that are down to their last bank, three have no other form of bank to fall back on.
Of the six better-serviced towns, two have two banks, two have three banks and two have all four big banks plus others.
Most vulnerable: Alexandra (NAB), Beechworth, Mount Beauty, Corryong and Euroa (COMs).
Banks
Indi had 65 major banks in 1975. That number is now 23 banks, a cut of 65 per cent.
ANZ has closed 12 branches, leaving 5; Commonwealth has closed eight leaving 10; NAB has closed 10 leaving six; and Westpac has closed 12 leaving two.
Indi has five minor corporate banks, five franchises and five mutuals.
Lyons - ALP (5.2% margin)
Lyons had 17 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of February 2022, 10 of those locations have lost their last or only bank, leaving seven towns with just one bank.
Of those seven, four have no other form of bank to fall back on.
Most vulnerable: Campbell Town, Longford, New Norfolk, Oatlands, Deloraine, Sorell and St Helens (COMs).
Banks
Lyons had 32 major banks in 1975. That number is now seven banks, a cut of 78 per cent.
ANZ has closed eight branches, leaving none; Commonwealth has closed four leaving 7; NAB has closed two leaving none; and Westpac has closed 11 leaving none.
Lyons has seven franchises, including two in towns that have never had a major bank.
Mallee - Nationals (15.7% margin)
Mallee had 70 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of February 2022, 50 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and 11 towns are down to their last bank.
Of the 11 towns that are down to their last bank, eight have no other form of bank to fall back on.
Of the nine better-serviced towns, three have two banks, three have three banks and three have all four big banks plus others.
Most vulnerable: Cohuna, Jeparit, Ouyen, Rainbow (NABs); Birchip, Hopetoun, Murtoa, Stawell, Charlton, Donald and Edenhope (COMs).
Banks
Mallee had 145 major banks in 1975. That number is now 38 banks, a cut of 74 per cent.
ANZ has closed 20 branches, leaving six; Commonwealth has closed 25 leaving 15; NAB has closed 27 leaving 13; and Westpac has closed 35 leaving four.
Mallee has seven minor corporate banks and 10 franchises.
Maranoa - Nationals (25.4% margin)
Maranoa had 50 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 31 of those locations have lost their last or only bank and nine towns are down to their last bank.
Of the nine towns that are down to their last bank, eight have no other form of bank to fall back on.
Of the 10 better-serviced towns, two have two major banks, four have three major banks and four have all four big banks plus others.
Most vulnerable: Mitchell, Quilpie, Cunnamulla, Winton, Miles, Clifton, Inglewood, Injune and Millmerran.
Banks
Maranoa had 98 major banks in 1975. That number is now 41, a cut of 58 per cent.
ANZ has closed seven branches, leaving four; Commonwealth has closed eight leaving 10; NAB has closed 18 leaving 19; and Westpac has closed 24 leaving eight.
Maranoa has nine minor corporate banks, eight mutuals and 11 franchises.
New South Wales - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Kristina Keneally (Labor), Jenny McAllister (Labor), Deborah O'Neill (Labor),
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (Liberal), Jim Molan (Liberal), Marise Payne (Liberal) and Arthur Sinodinos (Liberal).
In 1975, 328 towns and cities in regional NSW had one or more banks. As of March 2022, that number has fallen to 127.
The number of banks in regional NSW has fallen from 922 to 365 (557 have closed, a cut of 60 per cent.)
Most vulnerable: There are 23 towns in NSW that are down to their last major bank with no minor banks to fall back on.
Four are in the federal electorate of Cowper (Pat Conaghan, Nationals/11.9%): South West Rocks (NAB), Macksville (NAB), Nambucca Heads (COM) and Toormina (COM). Another four are in Farrer (Sussan Ley, Nationals/19.8): Holbrook (NAB), Balranald (Westpac), Tocumwal (NAB) and Finley (NAB).
Two are in Eden-Monaro (Kristy McBain, ALP/0.8%): Batlow (COM) and Bombala (NAB). Two are in Gilmore (Fiona Evon Boyd, ALP/2.6%): Berry (NAB) and Huskisson (COM). Two are in Page (Kevin Hogan, Nationals/9.4%): Woolgoolga (NAB) and Maclean (Westpac). Two are in Parkes (Mark Coulton, Nationals/16.9%): Brewarrina (COM) and Lightning Ridge (Westpac).
The remainder are Norfolk Island (COM; David Smith, Bean, ALP/7.5%); Gulgong (COM; Andrew Gee, Calare, Nationals/13.3%); Crookwell (COM; Angus Taylor, Hume, Liberals/13.3%); Leura (Westpac; Susan Templeman, Macquarie, ALP/5.2%); Junee (COM; Michael McCormack, Riverina, Nationals/19.5%); Umina Beach (COM; Lucy Wicks, Robertson, Liberals/4.2%); and Swansea (COM; Pat Conroy, Shortland, ALP/4.4%).
Towns with one major bank but have community-funded franchises in place: Wyong (COM, Dobell, ALP), Eden (COM, Eden-Monaro, ALP), Hillston (COM, Farrer, LIBERAL), Sussex Inlet (NAB, Gilmore, ALP), Vincentia (Westpac, Gilmore, ALP), Barraba (NAB, New England, NATIONALS), Narromine (COM, Parkes, NATIONALS, Salamander Bay (COM, Paterson, ALP), Gundagai (NAB, Riverina, NATIONALS) and Harden (COM, Riverina, NATIONALS).
Banks
ANZ has gone from 157 branches at the peak of its network to 52, a cut of 105 branches or 67 per cent of its NSW regional network.
Commonwealth has gone from 232 to 126 branches, a cut of 106 branches or 46 per cent.
NAB had 249 branches and now has 108, a cut of 141 branches or 57 per cent.
Westpac has closed the most branches, going from 284 to 79, a cut of 205 branches or 72 per cent of its regional NSW network.
Nicholls - Nationals (25.4% margin)
Nicholls had 29 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 20 of those locations have lost their last or only bank, including three towns that have lost all four of their big banks (Mooroopna, Nathalia and Rochester).
Most vulnerable: Two towns are down to their last bank – Tatura has no other form of bank to fall back on if the NAB closes. Nagambie has one NAB and a franchise.
Of the seven better-serviced towns, two have two banks, three have three banks and two have all four big banks plus others.
Banks
Nicholls had 74 major banks in 1975. That number is now 24 banks, a loss of 50 banks representing a cut of 68 per cent of the Nicholls bank network.
ANZ has closed eight branches, leaving five; Commonwealth has closed 10 leaving eight; NAB has closed 16 leaving nine.
Westpac has made the biggest cuts, closing 16 branches leaving two. This represents a cut of 89 per cent of its branches in Nicholls.
Nicholls has four minor corporate banks and nine franchises.
Queensland - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Anthony Chisholm (Labor), Murray Watt (Labor), Matt Canavan (Nationals), James McGrath
(Liberal National), Amanda Stoker (Liberal National) and Pauline Hanson (One Nation).
In 1975, 194 towns, cities and coastal districts in regional Queensland had one or more banks. As of April 2022, that number has fallen to 78.
Most vulnerable: There are 21 towns in Queensland that are down to their last major bank with no minor banks to fall back on.
Eight are in the federal electorate of Maranoa (David Littleproud, Nationals/25.4%): Clifton, Cunnamulla, Inglewood, Injune, Miles, Mitchell, Quilpie and Winton. (All NABs.) Two are in Dawson (George Christensen, Nationals/11.9%): Airlie Beach and Richmond. (Both NABs.) Two are in Flynn (Ken O’Dowd, Nationals/8.7%): Biggenden and Gayndah. (Both NABs.) Two are in Kennedy (Bob Katter, Katter AP/13.3%): Hughenden (NAB) and Normanton (Westpac). Two are in Leichhardt (Warren Entsch, Liberal/4.2%): Cooktown (ANZ) and Thursday Island (NAB). Two are in Wide Bay (Llew O’Brien, Nationals/13.1%): Murgon (COM) and Tin Can Bay (NAB). The remainder are Esk (NAB; Shayne Neumann, Blair, ALP/1.2%); Dysart (NAB; Michelle Landry, Capricornia, Nationals/12.4%) and Woodford (ANZ; Terry Young, Longman, Liberal/3.3%).
Another 11 towns only have one major bank but have a minor corporate, mutual or community-funded franchise in place.
They are Beerwah (COM, Fisher), Boonah (NAB, Wright), Laidley (NAB, Wright), Millmerran (NAB, Maranoa), Mundubbera (NAB, Flynn), Noosaville (ANZ, Wide Bay), Pittsworth (NAB, Groom), Ravenshoe (NAB, Kennedy), Rosewood (NAB, Blair), Sarina (NAB, Capricornia) and Tewantin (COM, Wide Bay).
Banks
The number of banks in regional Queensland has fallen from 623 in 1975 to 277 (346 have closed, a cut of 55.5 per cent).
ANZ has gone from 137 branches at the peak of its network to 49, a cut of 88 branches or 63.5 per cent of its Queensland regional network.
Commonwealth has gone from 128 to 74 branches, a cut of 54 branches or 42 per cent.
NAB had 187 branches and now has 89, a cut of 98 branches or 52 per cent.
Westpac has closed the most branches, going from 171 to 65, a cut of 106 branches or 62 per cent.
Riverina - Nationals (19.5% margin)
Riverina had 32 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 21 of those locations have lost their last or only bank, including one town that has lost all four of its big banks – Grenfell.
Most vulnerable: Junee has no other form of bank to fall back on if its Commonwealth bank closes. Gundagai (NAB) and Harden (COM) have a franchise in place.
Of the eight better-serviced centres, one has two banks, four have three and three have all four big banks plus others.
Banks
Riverina had 78 major banks in 1975. That number is now 29 banks, a loss of 49 banks representing a cut of 63 per cent of the Riverina bank network.
ANZ has closed 10 branches, leaving three; Commonwealth has closed five leaving 10; NAB has closed 14 leaving nine.
Westpac has made the biggest cuts, closing 20 branches leaving seven. This represents a cut of 74 per cent of its branches in Riverina.
Riverina has five minor corporate banks, seven mutual banks and three franchises.
South Australia - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Stirling Griff (Centre Alliance), Rex Patrick (Centre Alliance), Cory Bernardi (Independent),
Don Farrell (Labor), Penny Wong (Labor), Simon Birmingham (Liberal), Andrew McLachlan (Liberal).
In 1975, 151 towns and cities in regional South Australia had one or more banks. As of March 2022, that number has fallen to 33.
Most vulnerable: There are seven towns in South Australia that are down to their last major bank with no minor banks to fall back on.
Balaklava (ANZ), Streaky Bay (ANZ), Cleve (ANZ), Coober Pedy (Westpac), Roxby Downs (NAB) and Yorketown (ANZ) are in the federal electorate of Grey (Rowan Ramsay, LIBERAL/13.3%). Pinnaroo (ANZ) is in the federal electorate of Barker (Tony Pasin, LIBERAL/18.9%).
Another 10 towns only have one major bank but have a mutual or community-funded franchise in place.
Keith, Kingston SE, Waikerie, Bordertown and Millicent are in the federal electorate of Barker. Minlaton, Ceduna and Kimba are in the federal electorate of Grey and Kingscote and Strathalbyn are in the federal electorate of Mayo (Rebekha Sharkie, Centre Alliance/5.1%)
Banks
The number of banks in regional South Australia has fallen from 228 to 67 (161 have closed, a cut of 71 per cent.)
ANZ closed the most branches, going from 116 branches at the peak of its network to 27, a cut of 89 branches or 77 per cent of its South Australian regional network.
Commonwealth has gone from 21 to 13 branches, a cut of eight branches or 38 per cent. NAB had 49 branches and now has 16, a cut of 33 branches or 67 per cent. Westpac has gone from 42 to 11 branches, a cut of 31 branches or 74 per cent of its South Australian regional network.
Tasmania - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Peter Whish-Wilson (Greens), Helen Polley (Labor), Anne Urquhart (Labor), Eric Abetz (Liberal),
Wendy Askew (Liberal) and Jonathon Duniam (Liberal).
In 1975, 49 towns and cities in regional Tasmania had one or more banks. As of March 2022, that number has fallen to 20.
Most vulnerable: There are nine towns in Tasmania that are down to their last major bank with no minor banks to fall back on.
Four are in the federal electorate of Lyons (Brian Mitchell, ALP/5.2%): Campbell Town, Longford, Oatlands and New Norfolk (all COMs).
Three are in the federal electorate of Braddon (Gavin Pearce, Liberal/3.1%): Latrobe (COM), Rosebery (ANZ) and Currie (Westpac).
Two are in the federal electorate of Bass (Bridget Archer, Liberal/0.4%): Exeter and George Town (both COMs).
Another five towns only have one major bank but have a mutual or community-funded franchise in place. They are Deloraine, Sorell and St Helens (all COMS, Lyons, ALP), Wynyard (COM, Braddon) and Huonville (Franklin, Julie Collins, ALP/12.2%)
Banks
The number of banks in regional Tasmania has fallen from 109 to 37 (72 have closed, a cut of 66 per cent.)
ANZ has gone from 28 branches at the peak of its network to six, a cut of 22 branches or 79 per cent of its Tasmanian regional network.
Commonwealth has gone from 37 to 20 branches, a cut of 17 branches or 46 per cent.
NAB had six branches and now has four, a cut of two branches or 33 per cent.
Westpac has closed the most branches, going from 38 to seven, a cut of 31 branches or 82 per cent of its Tasmanian regional network.
Victoria - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Richard Di Natale (Greens), Lidia Thorpe (Greens), Kim Carr (Labor), Mitch Fifield (Liberal),
Sarah Henderson (Liberal), Greg Mirabella (Liberal), Scott Ryan (Liberal) and Bridget McKenzie (Nationals).
In 1975, 274 towns and cities in regional Victoria had one or more banks. As of April 2022, that number has fallen to 82.
There are 30 towns in Victoria that are down to their last major bank, 16 of them have no minor banks to fall back on.
Most vulnerable: Birchip, Cohuna, Hopetoun, Jeparit, Murtoa, Ouyen, Rainbow and Stawell (Mallee, Anne Webster, Nationals/15.7%); Alexandra, Corryong and Euroa (Indi, Helen Haines, Independent/1.4%); Terang and Timboon (Wannon, Dan Tehan, Liberal/10.2%); Woodend (Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, ALP/8.9%); Yarra Glen (Casey, Tony Smith, ALP/4.6%) and Tatura (Nicholls, Damian Drum, Nationals/25.4).
The last banks in these towns are the Commonwealth and NAB (eight towns each).
Towns with one major bank but have community-funded franchises in place: Charlton, Donald and Edenhope (Mallee); Beechworth and Mount Beauty (Indi); Foster and Inverloch (Monash); Daylesford (Ballarat); Yarra Junction (Casey); Drysdale (Corangamite); Lara (Corio); Wallan (McEwen); Nagambie (Nicholls); and Lorne (Wannon).
Banks
The number of banks in regional Victoria has fallen from 678 to 213 (465 have closed, a cut of 68.5 per cent.)
ANZ has gone from 132 branches at the peak of its network to 37, a cut of 95 branches or 72 per cent of its Victorian regional network. Commonwealth has gone from 192 to 79 branches, a cut of 113 branches or 59 per cent. NAB had 208 branches and now has 66, a cut of 139 branches or 68 per cent. Westpac has closed the most branches, going from 146 to 31, a cut of 115 branches or 79 per cent.
Wannon - Liberal (10.2% margin)
Wannon had 42 towns and cities with at least one major bank in 1975.
As of March 2022, 33 of those locations have lost their last or only bank, including one town that has lost all four of its big banks – Casterton.
Most vulnerable: Terang and Timboon have no other form of bank to fall back on if their NABs close. Lorne has one Commonwealth bank and a franchise.
Of the six better-serviced centres, one has three major banks and the rest have all four big banks plus others.
Banks
Wannon had 99 major banks in 1975. That number is now 26 banks, a loss of 73 banks representing a cut of 74 per cent of the Wannon bank network.
ANZ has closed nine branches, leaving six; Commonwealth has closed 21 leaving seven; Westpac has closed 15 leaving five.
NAB has made the biggest cuts, closing 28 branches leaving eight. This represents a cut of 78 per cent of its branches in Wannon.
Wannon has eight minor corporate banks and 13 franchises.
Western Australia - Senate
Senators up for re-election: Dorinda Cox (Greens), Rachel Siewert (Greens), Sue Lines (Labor), Glenn Sterle (Labor),
Michaelia Cash (Liberal), Mathias Cormann (Liberal), Ben Small (Liberal) and Dean Smith (Liberal).
In 1975, 122 towns and cities in regional Western Australia had one or more banks. As of March 2022, that number has fallen to 39.
Most vulnerable: There are 12 towns in Western Australia that are down to their last major bank with no minor banks to fall back on.
Derby (ANZ), Dowerin (NAB), Exmouth (Westpac), Wongan Hills (Westpac), Carnamah (Westpac), Northampton (NAB) and Tom Price (Westpac) are in the federal electorate of Durack (Melissa Price, LIBERAL/13.5).
Quairading (Westpac) and Kellerberrin (NAB) are in the federal electorate of O’Connor (Rick Wilson, LIBERAL/15.4%)
Waroona (NAB) is in Canning (Andrew Hastie, LIBERAL/11.6%), Harvey (Westpac) is in Forrest (Nola Marino, LIBERAL/14.6%) and Christmas Island (Westpac) is in the NT electorate of Lingiari.
Another four towns only have one major bank but have a mutual or community-funded franchise in place.
Bridgetown (Westpac), Kojonup (NAB), Corrigin (NAB) and Collie (Westpac) are in the federal electorate of O’Connor.
Banks
The number of banks in regional Western Australia has fallen from 225 to 93 (132 have closed, a cut of 59 per cent.)
ANZ has gone from 39 branches at the peak of its network to 16, a cut of 23 branches or 59 per cent of its Western Australia regional network.
Commonwealth has gone from 37 to 20 branches, a cut of 17 branches or 46 per cent. NAB had 59 branches and now has 26, a cut of 33 branches or 56 per cent. Westpac has closed the most branches, going from 90 to 31 branches, a cut of 59 branches or 65.5 per cent of its Western Australia regional network.
Whitlam - ALP (10.9% margin)
Whitlam comprises outer suburbs of Wollongong and four other towns/cities (Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale and Robertson)
that had at least one major bank in 1975. The total number of banks at that time was 30. The electorate is now down to 12 banks, a cut of 60 per cent.
ANZ has closed four branches, leaving three; Commonwealth has closed six leaving four; NAB has closed four leaving three; and Westpac has closed four leaving two.
Whitlam has three minor corporate banks, three franchises and six mutual banks.
As of February 2022, the status of the separate communities are as follows:
Wollongong: had 17 banks in 1975, now has six. ANZ has closed three, leaving one; Commonwealth has closed four, leaving two; NAB has closed one, leaving two; and Westpac has closed three, leaving one.
Bowral: all four major banks represented (a second Commonwealth closed between 2004 and 2015).
Mittagong: lost all three of its major banks (ANZ, COM, NAB) and has no other minor banks. Mittagong went from being a three-bank town to bankless within the space of nine months. ANZ and NAB closed within six months of each other in 2020 followed by the last (COM) five months later.
Moss Vale: lost two of its four major banks (ANZ and Commonwealth remain)
Roberston: lost its only bank.
Most vulnerable: No towns with only one bank. Moss Vale should be watched given the experience of Mittagong.
Wollongong in total (Cunningham and Whitlam electorates combined) has lost 39 of the 57 banks it had in 1975: 18 remain open. (68 per cent cut)
ANZ has closed 11 leaving three; Commonwealth has closed 11 leaving seven; NAB has closed seven leaving five and Westpac has closed 10 leaving three.