Big 4 banks called to account

JULY 14, 2017: I've organised a special banking industry forum to be held in Mackay next week to put direct questions to representatives of the big four banks regarding their treatment of customers.Business, industry and agricultural groups from the Mackay, Whitsundays and Bowen regions have been invited to attend the forum to state their case on banks reining in their debt during the region’s downturn and hitting businesses with foreclosure.I have had a number of business owners and individuals come to see me and share their accounts of how they have been treated by the banks.In some recent cases we are talking about businesses which have been with the same bank for many years, which are now faced with foreclosure.These people have been making all their payments and doing all they can to battle through what has been a long and difficult downturn in the Mackay economy, and yet they find themselves in situations where the banks are basically pulling the rug from under them.While I've had a number of discussions with banking representatives in Canberra, I wanted people in the region to be able to outline the issues directly.I have asked the banks to bring their senior representatives to Mackay to hear directly from industry groups about the difficulties caused to our region as a result of their tough treatment.The Commonwealth, the ANZ, NAB and Westpac have all agreed to send representatives to the forum, and we will have some other associated industry representatives present as well, for example from the Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) and the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.Any other business owners or individuals who are interested in attending can make that request through their relevant organisation, or by calling my office.We can only accept limited numbers at the forum, but those with particular concerns in relation to banking are welcome to make contact and we will accommodate them if we can.The reason for holding this banking industry forum is to enable organisations and individuals who have been directly affected by the current financial climate to have access to listening ears at the head of these organisations.And we want the banks to address these local concerns, and change their attitude on lending to those in our region.We want to create a push for the establishment of practices that are fair and reasonable.[box style="1 or 2"]Members of the following organisations should make contact to request attendance at the banking forum, which will be held on Wednesday, July 19 from 6pm to 8pm. Alternatively contact George Christensen’s office on 4944 0662.Canegrowers Mackay 4944 2602; Canegrowers Proserpine 4945 1844;          Mackay Tourism 4944 5888; Tourism Whitsundays 4948 5900;Mackay Chamber of Commerce 4953 1603; Bowen Business Chamber bhedditch@gmail.com;                               Airlie Beach Chamber of Commerce info@whitsundaycoastchamber.com.au; Master Builders Association4969 4500; Agforce  (07) 3236 3100;GW3 – Greater Whitsunday Alliance info@whitsundayregion.org.au;Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) mackay@udiaqld.com.au;Bowen Collinsville Enterprise  0419 153 984; Regional Development Authority 4957 6160.[/box]