Public policy advocacy - Corporate Responsibility

Public policy advocacy

ANZ is an active participant in the political and public policy making process. Our approach is set out in our Public Policy Advocacy and Political Donations Policy.

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 formally meets twice yearly with political, policy-making and regulatory leaders. At the policy development level, ANZ is continuously engaged with our regulators and Federal, State and Territory Governments. This engagement takes a number of forms including:

participation in Government advisory bodies such as our CEO's membership of the Australian Government's Financial Literacy Foundation, Business Regulation Advisory Group and Foreign Affairs Council;
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. Key memberships include the Australian Bankers' Association, the Business Council of Australia and United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative.

View some of our key submissions.

Progress in 2008

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:

Political donations

ANZ makes political donations each year [disclosed in our Annual Report (PDF 3.65mb)] 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.

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