Public policy advocacy

Our approach and performance

We are an active participant in the political and public policy making process. Our approach is set out in our Political Donations Policy Summary (PDF 28kB).

We seek to constructively shape our operating environment and to inform our business decisions by understanding the perspectives of our community's elected representatives, policy makers and regulators.

Our participation in the political and public policy making process is multi-layered. At the leadership level, our CEO meets regularly with political, policy making and regulatory leaders. At the policy development level, we continually engage with regulators, governments and government agencies on public policy issues relevant to the financial services industry. This engagement takes a number of forms, including:

participation in government advisory bodies
regular, issue-specific discussion with elected representatives, policy makers and regulators
research-based submissions on business, economic, social and environmental issues.

We work in a collaborative and open way as members of associations that have similar interests and approaches to ours, and where further opportunities for dialogue and engagement are provided. Memberships include the Australian Bankers' Association, New Zealand Bankers Association, the Business Council of Australia and United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative and various banking and financial services associations throughout the region.

View some of our submissions

Our results

2012 results
2012 results During 2012, we continued to contribute to parliamentary and regulatory examination issues in our sector. For example, we made submissions to Parliamentary Committees reviewing reforms to privacy laws, which included major changes to Australia's credit reporting system. Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Post-GFC Banking Sector highlighted the substantial program of regulatory reform in the financial services sector in recent years and the competitive nature and strength of the Australian banking sector. Our Deputy CEO also appeared before the Committee to address questions on our submission and the Inquiry’s terms of reference. ANZ's presence and aspirations in the Asia-Pacific region meant the Federal Government’s White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century was a particular focus of our engagement this year. Our submission focused on the steps Australia can take to maximise the opportunities in the region, including the need to build an Asia-capable workforce. Our structured program of meetings between senior ANZ executives and politicians and senior Government officials continued to provide opportunities for in-depth discussions on the issues above and other key public policy and regulatory issues and political developments in the Asia Pacific region. ANZ also participated in a number of government committees. For example, we were represented on Infrastructure Australia's Infrastructure Finance Working Group, which released its final report in April 2012. Additionally, ANZ's Deputy CEO was appointed to the Federal Government's Aged Care Financing Authority.

2012 results

2012 results

During 2012, we continued to contribute to parliamentary and regulatory examination issues in our sector. For example, we made submissions to Parliamentary Committees reviewing reforms to privacy laws, which included major changes to Australia's credit reporting system.

Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Post-GFC Banking Sector highlighted the substantial program of regulatory reform in the financial services sector in recent years and the competitive nature and strength of the Australian banking sector. Our Deputy CEO also appeared before the Committee to address questions on our submission and the Inquiry’s terms of reference.

ANZ's presence and aspirations in the Asia-Pacific region meant the Federal Government’s White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century was a particular focus of our engagement this year. Our submission focused on the steps Australia can take to maximise the opportunities in the region, including the need to build an Asia-capable workforce.

Our structured program of meetings between senior ANZ executives and politicians and senior Government officials continued to provide opportunities for in-depth discussions on the issues above and other key public policy and regulatory issues and political developments in the Asia Pacific region.

ANZ also participated in a number of government committees. For example, we were represented on Infrastructure Australia's Infrastructure Finance Working Group, which released its final report in April 2012. Additionally, ANZ's Deputy CEO was appointed to the Federal Government's Aged Care Financing Authority.

2011 results
2011 results During 2011 we continued to contribute actively to the development of regulation in our sector. A particular focus has been the implementation of the Australian Government’s Competitive and Sustainable Banking Package, including reforms to credit card regulation, new account switching arrangements and the introduction of covered bonds. Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Competition in the banking sector highlighted the competitive nature of the Australian banking sector and our views on how to support greater competition. Our CEO and Deputy CEO also appeared before the Inquiry. We maintained our structured program of meetings between senior ANZ executives and politicians and senior government officials on the economy, key public policy and regulatory issues and political and economic developments in the Asia Pacific region. We also provide submissions to government consultations on the Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and to United States Treasury on the impact on the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on our Asia-Pacific businesses.

2011 results

2011 results

During 2011 we continued to contribute actively to the development of regulation in our sector. A particular focus has been the implementation of the Australian Government’s Competitive and Sustainable Banking Package, including reforms to credit card regulation, new account switching arrangements and the introduction of covered bonds.

Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Competition in the banking sector highlighted the competitive nature of the Australian banking sector and our views on how to support greater competition. Our CEO and Deputy CEO also appeared before the Inquiry.

We maintained our structured program of meetings between senior ANZ executives and politicians and senior government officials on the economy, key public policy and regulatory issues and political and economic developments in the Asia Pacific region.

We also provide submissions to government consultations on the Indonesia – Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and to United States Treasury on the impact on the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on our Asia-Pacific businesses.

2010 results
2010 results Our engagement focus includes: keeping relevant government agencies and ministers informed of our key public policy and regulatory issues a structured program of meetings to discuss with the government our super regional strategy and political and economic developments in the Asia Pacific region providing government with regular information about the changes in our sources of funding and the likely impact on lending rates. Our CEO and the heads of key businesses regularly discuss social and economic conditions with politicians and senior government officials, providing immediate access to important economic indicators such as loan application numbers and customer default rates. Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Access of Small Business to Finance highlighted the measures we took to support viable small business customers during the downturn and the responsible approach we are taking to relaxing our lending to those customers as the economy recovers. During 2010 submissions included: Submission to ASIC – Handling Confidential Information Submission to the Productivity Commission Study into Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements Submission to the Senate Economics Committee – Access of Small Business to Finance Submission to Treasury – National Credit Reform Green Paper Submission to the Australian National Contact Point: Terms of Reference for an Update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises Submission to Australian Treasury Improving protection for Corporate Whistleblowers Submission to Australian Treasury Reforms to Market Supervision ING Australia Limited's Submission to the Review into the Governance, Efficiency, Structure and Operation of Australia’s Superannuation System (The Cooper Review) - Phase 1 Governance; Phase 2 Operations and Efficiency; and Phase 3 Structure See a full list of our submissions.

2010 results

2010 results

Our engagement focus includes:

keeping relevant government agencies and ministers informed of our key public policy and regulatory issues
a structured program of meetings to discuss with the government our super regional strategy and political and economic developments in the Asia Pacific region
providing government with regular information about the changes in our sources of funding and the likely impact on lending rates.

Our CEO and the heads of key businesses regularly discuss social and economic conditions with politicians and senior government officials, providing immediate access to important economic indicators such as loan application numbers and customer default rates.
Our submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Access of Small Business to Finance highlighted the measures we took to support viable small business customers during the downturn and the responsible approach we are taking to relaxing our lending to those customers as the economy recovers.

During 2010 submissions included:

Submission to ASIC – Handling Confidential Information
Submission to the Productivity Commission Study into Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements
Submission to the Senate Economics Committee – Access of Small Business to Finance
Submission to Treasury – National Credit Reform Green Paper
Submission to the Australian National Contact Point: Terms of Reference for an Update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Submission to Australian Treasury Improving protection for Corporate Whistleblowers
Submission to Australian Treasury Reforms to Market Supervision
ING Australia Limited's Submission to the Review into the Governance, Efficiency, Structure and Operation of Australia’s Superannuation System (The Cooper Review) - Phase 1 Governance; Phase 2 Operations and Efficiency; and Phase 3 Structure

See a full list of our submissions.

2009 results
2009 results This year our engagement with Government increased in intensity and importance in light of the global economic downturn. In Australia our CEO and heads of our retail and commercial businesses met on several occasions with politicians and senior government officials, providing them with immediate access to important economic indicators such as loan application numbers and customer default rates. A major regulatory reform affecting banks this year was the transfer of consumer credit regulation from States and Territories to the Commonwealth. ANZ provided three submissions supporting a national credit regime that can adapt to changes in the market more rapidly. During 2009 ANZ contributed submissions on the following: Submission to ASIC - Consultation Paper for Responsible Lending Submission to Treasury - National Consumer Credit Protection Bill 2009 Submission to Consumer Credit Unit - National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations Submission to Treasury - Improving protections for corporate whistleblowers Submission to Treasury - Reforms to Market Supervision Submission to the Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services - inquiry into Financial Products and Services Call for public submission on Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus The Australian Consumer Law - Unfair Contract Terms Provision Australia and Korea Free Trade Agreement Multiple submissions to the New Zealand Parliament on a new financial advisers regime Consultation with the New Zealand Government on the new Anti-Money Laundering Act See a full list of our submissions. Political Donations ANZ makes political donations each year to support the democratic process. In 2009 we donated $50,000 to the Liberal Party of Australia and $50,000 to the Australian Labor Party. There were no political donations in New Zealand.

2009 results

2009 results

This year our engagement with Government increased in intensity and importance in light of the global economic downturn. In Australia our CEO and heads of our retail and commercial businesses met on several occasions with politicians and senior government officials, providing them with immediate access to important economic indicators such as loan application numbers and customer default rates.

A major regulatory reform affecting banks this year was the transfer of consumer credit regulation from States and Territories to the Commonwealth. ANZ provided three submissions supporting a national credit regime that can adapt to changes in the market more rapidly.

During 2009 ANZ contributed submissions on the following:

Submission to ASIC - Consultation Paper for Responsible Lending
Submission to Treasury - National Consumer Credit Protection Bill 2009
Submission to Consumer Credit Unit - National Consumer Credit Protection Regulations
Submission to Treasury - Improving protections for corporate whistleblowers
Submission to Treasury - Reforms to Market Supervision
Submission to the Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services - inquiry into Financial Products and Services
Call for public submission on Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus
The Australian Consumer Law - Unfair Contract Terms Provision
Australia and Korea Free Trade Agreement
Multiple submissions to the New Zealand Parliament on a new financial advisers regime
Consultation with the New Zealand Government on the new Anti-Money Laundering Act

See a full list of our submissions.

Political Donations
ANZ makes political donations each year to support the democratic process. In 2009 we donated $50,000 to the Liberal Party of Australia and $50,000 to the Australian Labor Party. There were no political donations in New Zealand.

2008 results
2008 results There are a number of issues that affect our industry and the way we do business and where, as a leading company and employer, we can provide a constructive contribution to public policy development. During 2008 ANZ participated in the discussion on these issues, including through submissions, on the following: National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy Productivity Commission's Review of Consumer Policy Framework First Home Saver Accounts Australian Law Reform Commission's discussion paper on privacy Australian Government's Feasibility Study on an Australia-India Free Trade Agreement See a full list of our submissions. Political Donations ANZ makes political donations each year to support the democratic process. In 2008 we donated $50,000 to the Liberal Party of Australia and $50,000 to the Australian Labor Party. There were no political donations in New Zealand.

2008 results

2008 results

There are a number of issues that affect our industry and the way we do business and where, as a leading company and employer, we can provide a constructive contribution to public policy development.

During 2008 ANZ participated in the discussion on these issues, including through submissions, on the following:

National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
Productivity Commission's Review of Consumer Policy Framework
First Home Saver Accounts
Australian Law Reform Commission's discussion paper on privacy
Australian Government's Feasibility Study on an Australia-India Free Trade Agreement

See a full list of our submissions.

Political Donations

ANZ makes political donations each year to support the democratic process. In 2008 we donated $50,000 to the Liberal Party of Australia and $50,000 to the Australian Labor Party. There were no political donations in New Zealand.

You need Adobe Reader to view PDF files. You can download Adobe Reader free of charge.

Public policy advocacy

Corporate Responsibility