THE HON. KEVIN HOGAN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PAGE
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
DEPUTY MANAGER OF OPPOSITION BUSINESS
BIG BANKS SHOULD STICK TO BANKING
The Coalition will introduce new laws to stop Australia’s major banks using having ideological policies that ‘debank’ lawful industries.
Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services Kevin Hogan said banks should focus on whether a business can repay a loan, not whether it aligns their political agenda.
“Big banks should stick to banking. That’s what they’re good at. They don’t need to be activists – we have enough of them already,” Mr Hogan said.
“Banks have every right to reject a bad credit loan. But they shouldn’t have policies that blacklist entire lawful industries because they don’t like what they do.”
“That’s imposing an agenda on Australian businesses beyond the laws and regulations set by Parliament.”
The Coalition’s Fair Access to Banking Bill 2026 will put clear rules in place for Australia’s major banks. The Bill will:
- Stop industry blacklists: Prohibit major banks from refusing finance solely because a business operates in a lawful industry, without assessing its individual circumstances.
- Make banks explain their decisions: Require written, customer-specific reasons when businesses are refused finance or have banking services withdrawn, subject to legal and security requirements.
- Give businesses fair warning: Require at least 90 days’ notice before an existing facility is withdrawn, with exceptions for fraud, safety, and legal requirements.
- Give small businesses a right of review: Allow eligible small businesses to challenge decisions through the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
- Not apply to smaller banks: Customer-owned and specialist banks will not be included, only the major banks that are subject to the Major Bank Levy.
The Bill will not force banks to lend money or tell them what interest rates to charge.
Banks will still be able to reject loans based on repayment capacity, security, legal requirements and genuine financial risks.
“This isn’t about forcing banks to make bad loans. It’s about stopping them from making political decisions,” Mr Hogan said.
“Assess the business. Assess the loan. Assess the risk. Don’t knock someone back simply because you don’t like their industry.”
“Banks should stick to banking.”
ENDS
13 October 2026
Media Contact: Chadd Gunton – 0418 104 993