Member for Farrer and leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley recently met with the Chief Executive of Bendigo Bank, Richard Fennell following the closure of several branches in Farrer.

Ms Ley said she “made a point” of travelling to the Adelaide office of Mr Fennell to discuss the recent decision to close regional branches of the bank.

“I met with the CEO of Bendigo Bank, Richard Fennell, in order to express my disquiet regarding the closure of six Bendigo Bank agencies in my electorate,” Ms Ley said.

At the meeting, Ms Ley raised with Mr Fennell recent Bendigo branch closures and in-person banking service discontinuation, across Farrer and the regions more generally.

Ms Ley said she used the meeting to highlight the local impact of recent decisions made by the bank, and intends to remain in contact with Mr Fennell.

“I expressed the frustrations of many who have approached me and my office following the announcement, in particular that Bendigo has built its reputation on servicing our smaller towns and is the very last bank we would expect to shut up shop in this way,” Ms Ley said.

“I was told that Licensed Post Offices could now accommodate the banking needs of customers but sought further assurances that customers would indeed be happy with this option.

“I also asked if there was a way that community funding from these agencies’ parent branches could be guaranteed not to diminish or be withdrawn from these small towns.

“Mr Fennell said he would take my concerns on notice and come back to me.”

The recent closures do not affect the Hay or Hillston branches, whose hours will continue unchanged.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 27 August 2025.