Why are banks bailing on the regions and is gun control still under control?

There's a small town on the west coast of Tasmania locked in a David and Goliath battle to save their last bank. Janet Lay has lived in Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast and has started a petition to keep their local bank in town. Since 2017, 36 per cent of brick and mortar bank branches have closed around regional Australia. Simon Lyons from the Regional Banking Investment Alliance asks how can we stop the flow of banks bailing on the regions? 

Since strict gun control measures were introduced following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the number of firearms in Australia has increased by 25 per cent according to figures from The Australia Institute. In light of this week's fatal shooting of two Victorian police officers, we asked violence prevention specialist Dr Samara McPhedran what's behind the rise in gun ownership - and whether Australia's gun laws are still keeping people safe.

Australia's newest Miss Universe has just been crowned, so we ask sociologist Dan Woodman if beauty pageants are still relevant in a body positive world?

Australia is building more data centres to keep pace with our increasing participation in the digital world, but what do these resource-hungry facilities mean for communities nearby? Councillor Naim Kurt is the Deputy Mayor of a region soon to be home to these centres and Bronwyn Cumbo discusses the rise in these centres in Australian communities. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: August 28, 2025: An earlier version of this segment stated Bendigo Bank would charge fees to business customers using Bank@Post services. Bendigo Bank has since clarified its retail and business customers will be able to use Bank@Post services fee-free for the next 12 months. 

Statement from Bendigo Bank spokesperson:

Following a review of evolving customer preferences, a reduction in business activity and an increase in costs, the Bank has made the difficult decision to close the Queenstown branch located at 33 Orr St, Queenstown. The Bank apologises for any inconvenience.

Bendigo Bank is proud of its regional heritage and operates Australia’s second largest regional branch network. To preserve our ability to continue delivering for our customers and communities, we must ensure our branches are adequately supported and resourced. 

From Tuesday, 1 July 2025,  operating hours will reduce to Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm before our Queenstown branch and ATM close permanently from Friday, 26 September 2025. The Bank is in the process of communicating these changes to customers. For more information, click here. 

A range of banking options are available to customers impacted by this change. There is no action for customers to take as there will be no impact to how their accounts operate.   Customers can continue to transact as normal at any Bendigo Bank branch, ATM or at any time via internet banking, our mobile app or by phone on 1300 236 344. 

Customers can also choose to bank in-person using Bank@Post at any of the 3,500 Australia Post outlets across Australia. The nearest Australia Post LPO where customers can transact fee free for at least the next 12 months is located next door to the branch at 32 Orr Street, Queenstown.  

Bendigo Bank maintains more branches per customer than any other Australian Bank. The Bank is committed to its branch network and the personalised interactions that occur in branch every day. 

For more branch closure information, click here.