Socialist Alliance candidates for the upcoming Queensland state elections, Liam Flenady (South Brisbane), and Mike Crook (Sandgate), organised a rally in Brisbane on February 17 to “protest the rampant greed of the big banks”.
Protesters outside the ANZ Bank state head office in Queen Street held placards, handed out leaflets to passersby and chanted, "No to the big bank rip-off!" and "shame, shame, ANZ!"
“The banks have arrogantly raised their interest rates this week, despite the Reserve Bank keeping them on hold," the two candidates said in a statement. "Now, the ANZ Bank has announced it is slashing 1000 jobs, following staff cuts by other banks.
“The big banks cry poor, despite making record profits in the past year. It is time to call enough of this blatant rip-off by the world's most profitable banks.
“We are protesting outside the ANZ Bank, which recently announced staff cuts in the face of huge profits, to bring public attention to this scandalous situation.
“Socialist Alliance is campaigning in this election for the re-establishment of a Queensland State Bank, to 'provide low-interest loans to householders, farmers and small business, and to stop the private banks ripping off the community."
[For more information on the SA Queensland state election campaign, phone Jim on 07 3831 2644/0423 741 734, or visit the Socialist Alliance Queensland website.]