To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives Assembled in Parliament:

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House:

The massive loss of jobs and employment opportunities, with the Commonwealth Bank having shed approximately 14,000 jobs during the last decade; and

The reduced access to essential financial services through continuing closure of Branches by the Commonwealth Bank, resulting in 438 branches being closed in the last five years and a further 250 set to close due to the Colonial merger; and

The lack of staff in the Commonwealth Bank resulting in reduced customer service and increased staff stress; and

The increase of fees on over the counter services by up to 50 per cent in some cases; and

The massive increase in executive remuneration seeing the Commonwealth Bank CEO receive a 272 per cent increase in remuneration since 1994 pushing his pay to over $2 million in 1999.

Your petitioners therefore pray that the House will implement a `social charter' for Banks, to ensure that Banks like the Commonwealth, properly recognise the needs of customers, staff and the community.