Terms used: full privatisation, partial privatisation 2
Part 2 — Privatisation of the Bank
Terms used 4
Bank may be privatised 4
Method of privatisation 4
State’s shareholding in partial privatisation 5
Day of privatisation 5
Powers of R & I Holdings and the Bank for purposes of privatisation 5
R & I Holdings and the Bank to consult 6
Proceeds of privatisation, application of 6
Disclosure of information 7
Auditor General may disclose information 7
Disclosing information obtained under s. 14 or 15, offence 8
R & I Holdings, Bank etc., functions of 8
Stamp duty exemption 8
Part 3 — Provisions applicable to Bank after privatisation
Division 1 — Preliminary
Terms used 9
Division 2 — Guarantee
Guarantee by Treasurer for Bank 9
Charges for guarantee 11
Treasurer may require Bank to give information 11
Division 4 — Use of names
Names Bank etc. cannot use 12
Use of former name and derivatives of it by others 12
Division 5 — Enforcement of Divisions 3 and 4
Enforcement of s. 26 and 27 only by injunction 13
Supreme Court’s powers for enforcement of s. 26 and 27 13
Division 6 — Continuation of certain provisions
Terms used 14
Purpose of this Division 15
Evidentiary provisions 15
Administration etc. of capital stock, debentures and inscribed stock 15
Reference in document to officer of former Bank, effect of 16
Immunity etc. to continue 16
Former Bank to complete necessary transactions 16
Division 7 — Miscellaneous
Reference in document to former name, effect of 17
Non-compliance by Bank of Western Australia Ltd with certain provisions, effect of 18
Part 4 — State’s shareholding in Bank on partial privatisation
Interpretation of s. 41 19
State’s shareholding, Treasurer’s functions as to 19
Part 5A — Provisions relating to transfer of BWA business and conduct of Bankwest business
Division 1 — Preliminary
42A. Terms used 20
42B. Transfer of BWA business to CBA not prevented 21
42C. Liability of owners of Bankwest business if 2 or more owners 21
Division 2 — Long term obligations
42D. CBA to carry on banking business using Bankwest name 22
42E. Type and scale of Bankwest business 22
42F. Head office of Bankwest business 22
42G. Managing officer of Bankwest business 22
42H. Use of certain names prohibited 22
42I. Records of Bankwest business 23
Division 3 — Obligations relating to 5 year period after transfer day
42J. Minimum points of presence required 23
42K. Points of presence in regional areas not to be closed 23
42L. Head office personnel 24
42M. Local sponsorship and community development initiatives 24
Division 4 — Monitoring compliance
42N. Bankwest owner to give annual certificate of compliance with this Part 25
42O. Minister may require Bankwest owner to give information 26
Division 5 — Enforcement of Divisions 2, 3 and 4
42P. Methods of enforcement 27
42Q. Enforcement of Div. 2 and 4, Supreme Court’s powers for 27
42R. Enforcement of Div. 3, Minister’s powers for 28
Division 6 — Other provisions
42S. Transfer day, notification of 30
42T. Certain matters are excluded matters for Corporations Act 2001 (Cwlth) 30
Part 5 — General
Regulations 31
Bank of Western Australia Act 1990, transitional provisions for 31
Other Acts, transitional provisions 31
Schedule 1 — Provisions relating to Bank of Western Australia Act 1990
Division 2 — Transitional provisions
Terms used 32
Auditor General may disclose information 32
Payments under repealed s. 31 up to day of privatisation 32
Agreements under s. 33(4a) 33
Securities taken as agent of Crown 33
Schedule 2 — Provisions relating to other Acts
Part B — Transitional provisions
Provision relating to Industry (Advances) Act 1947 34
Provisions relating to Superannuation and Family Benefits Act 1938 34
Notes
Compilation table 36
Uncommenced provisions table 37
Other notes 37
Defined terms
Western Australia
Bank of Western Australia Act 1995
An Act to provide for the full or partial privatisation of Bank of Western Australia Ltd, to make provisions applicable to the bank after privatisation, to make provisions relating to the transfer of the bank’s business and the conduct of an ongoing banking business, to amend the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 and certain other Acts 1, and for related purposes.
[Long title amended: No. 14 of 2012 s. 4.]
Part 1 — Preliminary
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Bank of Western Australia Act 1995.
2. Commencement
(1) The long title, this Part, Part 2 (except section 11) and section 43(1) and (2) come into operation on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) Section 11 comes into operation on such day as is fixed by proclamation.
(3) The other provisions of this Act come into operation on the day of privatisation.
3. Terms used
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears —
day of privatisation means the day notified by the Treasurer under section 9;
privatisation means full or partial privatisation as defined in section 4;
public authority means a body corporate that —
(a) is created by a written law; and
(b) is an agent of the Crown; and
(c) has power to acquire shares in a company.
4. Terms used: full privatisation, partial privatisation
(1) For the purposes of this Act full privatisation occurs if, in accordance with a privatisation order under section 7 —
(a) all of the shares in Bank of Western Australia Ltd become, after the day of privatisation, owned by persons other than the State; or
(b) the business that is conducted by Bank of Western Australia Ltd becomes, after the day of privatisation, owned by one or more corporations all of the shares in which are held by persons other than the State.
(2) For the purposes of this Act partial privatisation occurs if, in accordance with a privatisation order under section 7 —
(a) some of the shares in Bank of Western Australia Ltd continue, after the day of privatisation, to be owned by the State; or
(b) the business that is conducted by Bank of Western Australia Ltd becomes, after the day of privatisation, owned by one or more corporations some of the shares in which are held by the State.
(3) References in subsections (1) and (2) to the State do not include a public authority that acquires shares in the Bank on or after the day of privatisation.
Part 2 — Privatisation of the Bank
5. Terms used
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears —
Bank means Bank of Western Australia Ltd referred to in section 22 of the existing Act;
existing Act means the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 2;
private placement means the sale of shares in the Bank in a way that would not require R & I Holdings to lodge a notice under section 1043B of the Corporations Law (assuming it were not exempt from the requirements of Chapter 7 of that Law);
privatisation order means an order, and any amendment to it, made under section 7;
public float means the sale of shares in the Bank to the public in a way that would require R & I Holdings to lodge a notice under section 1043B of the Corporations Law (assuming it were not exempt from the requirements of Chapter 7 of that Law);
R & I Holdings means the body corporate referred to in section 6 of the existing Act;
voting share has the meaning given by section 9 of the Corporations Law.
6. Bank may be privatised
(1) The Bank may be privatised in accordance with this Part.
(2) This Part is to have effect despite section 26(4) or (5) of the existing Act.
7. Method of privatisation
(1) The Treasurer may by order determine that the Bank is to be fully privatised or partially privatised —
(a) by public float; or
(b) by private placement; or
(c) by some other means,
or by any combination of the methods referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).
(2) A privatisation order may contain such incidental or supplementary provisions as the Treasurer thinks fit.
(3) The Treasurer may at any time before the day of privatisation amend or revoke a privatisation order.
(4) A privatisation order and any amendment or revocation is to be published in the Gazette.
8. State’s shareholding in partial privatisation
A privatisation order that provides for the partial privatisation of the Bank is to specify the shareholding that is to be retained or held by the State and that is to vest in the Treasurer under section 41.
9. Day of privatisation
(1) The Treasurer is to notify the day of privatisation in the Gazette.
(2) The Treasurer may change the day notified under subsection (1) to a later day.
(3) If the day is changed the Treasurer is to notify the change in the Gazette.
(4) Property in shares in the Bank that passes from R & I Holdings to any person on the day of privatisation is to be taken to pass at the beginning of the day of privatisation.
10. Powers of R & I Holdings and the Bank for purposes of privatisation
(1) R & I Holdings and the Bank are to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in order to comply with a privatisation order.
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1) R & I Holdings may —
(a) enter into agreements including underwriting agreements;
(b) issue or cause the issue of a prospectus or other document containing information for potential purchasers of shares in the Bank;
(c) require the Bank to make application to the Australian Stock Exchange Limited for admission to the Official List of the Exchange and for official quotation of the shares in the Bank;
(d) require the Bank to issue to it further shares pursuant to section 26 of the existing Act in such number and on such terms as to payment as may be agreed between R & I Holdings and the Bank or in the absence of agreement as may be determined by the Treasurer;
(e) require the Bank to do anything else necessary or convenient to enable R & I Holdings to comply with a privatisation order.
(3) The Bank is to comply with any requirement made under subsection (2).
[11. Deleted: No. 8 of 2009 s. 24.]
12. R & I Holdings and the Bank to consult
R & I Holdings and the board of directors of the Bank must consult fully in relation to all matters necessary or convenient to give effect to a privatisation order.
13. Proceeds of privatisation, application of
(1) The proceeds of privatisation of the Bank are to be applied by R & I Holdings —
(a) first, in meeting the expenses of privatisation as determined by the Treasurer; and
(b) secondly, in the payment to Bank of Western Australia Ltd of any amount determined by the Treasurer; and
(c) thirdly, in the repayment of the liabilities of R & I Holdings.
(2) So much of the proceeds as is not applied under subsection (1) is to be paid into the Consolidated Account.
[Section 13 amended: No. 77 of 2006 s. 4.]
14. Disclosure of information
(1) A disclosure of information made in accordance with this section for the purposes of facilitating the privatisation of the Bank is not to be regarded —
(a) as a breach of contract or confidence or otherwise as a civil wrong; or
(b) as a contravention of section 232 of the Corporations Law.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to a disclosure of information made by the Government, R & I Holdings or the Bank or by a person acting with the authority of the Government, R & I Holdings or the Bank but does not apply to any other person to whom the information is given.
(3) Subsection (1) applies to confidential information or information not publicly known concerning the affairs of the Bank or of any subsidiary of the Bank or of any customer of the Bank or of any subsidiary.
(4) This section has effect despite section 41 of the existing Act.
(5) In subsection (3) Bank, subsidiary and customer have the same meanings as they have in section 41 of the existing Act.
15. Auditor General may disclose information
Despite section 46(2) of the Auditor General Act 2006, the Auditor General may, for the purpose of facilitating the privatisation of the Bank, disclose to any person, or provide any person with access to, information in his or her possession or under his or her control.
16. Disclosing information obtained under s. 14 or 15, offence
A person who under section 14 or 15 —
(a) obtains information in connection with the privatisation of the Bank; and
(b) has agreed or is otherwise under a duty not to disclose the information to others,
commits an offence if the person breaches the agreement or the duty without lawful excuse.
Penalty: $100 000.
17. R & I Holdings, Bank etc., functions of
In addition to their functions and powers under the existing Act, R & I Holdings, the Bank and the board of directors of the Bank —
(a) have the respective functions conferred on them by this Part; and
(b) may do, in the State or elsewhere, all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of those functions.
18. Stamp duty exemption
If the Bank is privatised either solely by public float or partly by public float and partly by private placement, stamp duty under the Stamp Act 1921 is not chargeable on any sale and transfer of shares in the Bank by R & I Holdings by way of such public float or private placement.
Part 3 — Provisions applicable to Bank after privatisation
Division 1 — Preliminary
19. Terms used
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears —
1990 Act means the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 2;
Bank means the public company registered under the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) by the name “Bank of Western Australia Ltd”;
subsidiary means a company that is a subsidiary of the Bank as determined in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth.
[Section 19 amended: No. 10 of 2001 s. 17; No. 14 of 2012 s. 5; No. 14 of 2025 s. 11(2).]
Division 2 — Guarantee
20. Guarantee by Treasurer for Bank
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4), the payment of the financial obligations of the Bank is guaranteed by the Treasurer.
(2) The payment of money due —
(a) by the Bank in respect of capital stock issued under section 29A of the Rural and Industries Bank Act 1944 3; or
(b) by a subsidiary of the Bank; or
(c) by the Bank in respect of any excluded debt,
is not guaranteed under subsection (1).
(3) In subsection (2)(c) excluded debt means any financial obligation incurred by Bank of Western Australia Ltd before the day of privatisation on terms which provide that a Treasurer’s guarantee does not apply to the financial obligation.
(4) On and from the day of privatisation the payment of the financial obligations of the Bank is guaranteed under subsection (1) to the extent set out in subsections (5) and (6) and to that extent only.
(5) On and from the day of privatisation until the fifth anniversary of that day, the payment of money standing to the credit of any account with the Bank that was in existence as an account with Bank of Western Australia Ltd at the close of business on the day preceding the day of privatisation, other than a term deposit, continues to be guaranteed under subsection (1) to the extent of the amount calculated by deducting from the amount that was standing to the credit of the account at the close of business on the day preceding the day of privatisation the aggregate of all amounts debited to the account on or after the day of privatisation.
(6) On and from the day of privatisation the payment of the financial obligations of the Bank (including contingent liabilities) continues to be guaranteed under subsection (1) to the extent that those obligations arise from —
(a) any term deposit made with Bank of Western Australia Ltd, or other term liability incurred by Bank of Western Australia Ltd, before the day of privatisation; or
(b) securities issued by Bank of Western Australia Ltd before the day of privatisation; or
(c) a deed, agreement, instrument, undertaking or other document entered into, given or issued by Bank of Western Australia Ltd before the day of privatisation; or
(d) any other event involving Bank of Western Australia Ltd which occurred, or arrangements which were entered into by that Bank, before the day of privatisation, other than an account to which subsection (5) applies.
(7) References in subsection (6)(a), (b), (c) and (d) to the Bank include the Bank as constituted under the Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia Act 1987 4 and the Rural and Industries Bank Act 1944 3.
(8) Any liability of the Treasurer arising from the guarantee in subsection (1) is to be met out of the Consolidated Account which is appropriated to the necessary extent.
[Section 20 amended: No. 77 of 2006 s. 4.]
21. Charges for guarantee
(1) The Treasurer may from time to time, after consultation with the board of directors of the Bank, fix charges to be paid by the Bank to the Treasurer for the benefit of the Consolidated Account in respect of the guarantee under section 20.
(2) The Treasurer may agree with the Bank that a charge fixed under subsection (1) will not be increased under that subsection for a stipulated period, and the exercise of the power in that subsection is subject to any such agreement.
(3) Payments by the Bank to the Treasurer in respect of any such charges are required to be made at such times, and in such instalments, as the Treasurer determines.
[Section 21 amended: No. 77 of 2006 s. 4.]
22. Treasurer may require Bank to give information
(1) The Treasurer may request the Bank to give prescribed information to the Treasurer, including prescribed information by way of periodical returns at prescribed times, to enable the Treasurer to be informed of or assess the extent of the liability, or risk of or exposure to liability, from time to time existing under section 20.
(2) The power in subsection (1) ceases to be exercisable on —
(a) the day on which the guarantee under section 20(1) no longer applies to securities, term deposits or term borrowings; or
(b) the fifth anniversary of the day of privatisation,
whichever is the later.
(3) A request under subsection (1) must —
(a) be made by written notice given to the Bank; and
(b) specify the time before which the information is to be given.
(4) The Bank must comply with any request under subsection (1).
(5) The Bank is to provide information under subsection (1) in a manner that does not disclose the identity and affairs of any person or might enable the identity and affairs of any person to be ascertained.
[Division 3 (s. 23-26A) deleted: No. 14 of 2025 s. 11(3).]
Division 4 — Use of names
26. Names Bank etc. cannot use
(1) The Bank or a subsidiary of the Bank must not use any name in connection with its business which suggests that it is associated with the Government.
(2) The use of the name “Bank of Western Australia Ltd” or “BankWest” does not contravene subsection (1).
27. Use of former name and derivatives of it by others
(1) A person must not —
(a) use the name “The Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia” or the name “R & I Bank of Western Australia Ltd”; or
(b) use any company, corporate, business, trading or other name substantially similar to either of the names referred to in paragraph (a); or
(c) use the prefix “R & I” as part of any bank description without the approval in writing of the Minister.
(2) In subsection (1)(c) bank description means any company, corporate, business, trading or other name, or other trade description or symbol, used in connection with banking business or the provision of financial services.
(3) The prohibition in subsection (1) extends to the Crown.
(4) The use of names and descriptions, as governed by this section, is declared to be an excluded matter for the purposes of section 5F of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth in relation to the whole of the Corporations legislation to which Part 1.1A of that Act applies.
[Section 27 amended: No. 10 of 2001 s. 20.]
[28. Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e) 6.]
Division 5 — Enforcement of Divisions 3 and 4
29. Enforcement of s. 26 and 27 only by injunction
The obligations created by sections 26 and 27 are enforceable under section 30 and not otherwise.
[Section 29 amended: No. 14 of 2025 s. 11(4).]
30. Supreme Court’s powers for enforcement of s. 26 and 27
(1) The Supreme Court may, on the application of the Minister, grant an injunction in such terms as the Court thinks fit where the Court is satisfied that the Bank or any person —
(a) has done or omitted to do or is proposing or attempting to do or omit to do any thing that amounts to, or would amount to, a breach of section 26 or 27; or
(b) is involved in a breach of section 26 or 27.
(2) An interim or interlocutory injunction may be granted before final determination of an application.
(3) If the Minister applies to the Court for an injunction under this section, the Court is not to require the Minister, as a condition of granting an interim injunction, to give an undertaking as to damages.
(4) A reference in subsection (1) to a person being involved in a breach is a reference to a person who —
(a) has aided, abetted, counselled or procured the breach; or
(b) has induced the breach, whether by threats or promises or otherwise; or
(c) has been in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the breach; or
(d) has conspired with others to effect the breach; or
(e) has attempted to do any act of a kind referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).
[Section 30 amended: No. 14 of 2025 s. 11(5).]
Division 6 — Continuation of certain provisions
31. Terms used
In this Division —
1987 Act means the Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia Act 1987 4;
appointed day has the meaning given by section 4 of the 1990 Act;
former Bank means the Bank as defined in section 3 of the 1987 Act.
32. Purpose of this Division
This Division re‑enacts certain provisions of Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act 7, relating to the transition from the former Bank to Bank of Western Australia Ltd, so that they will continue in force despite the repeal of that Schedule.
33. Evidentiary provisions
(1) Documentary or other evidence which would have been admissible for or against the interests of the former Bank if the 1990 Act had not been enacted is admissible for or against the interests of the Bank.
(2) Sections 89 to 96 (inclusive) of the Evidence Act 1906 continue to apply with respect to the banker’s books of the former Bank and to entries made in those banker’s books before the appointed day.
(3) In subsection (2) banker’s books has the same meaning as in the Evidence Act 1906.
34. Administration etc. of capital stock, debentures and inscribed stock
(1) The provisions of the repealed Acts relating to —
(a) the administration of the capital stock, debentures and inscribed stock issued under section 29A or 30 of the Rural and Industries Bank Act 1944 3; and
(b) the determination of rights and obligations in respect of the same,
that applied to such capital stock, debentures and inscribed stock immediately before the appointed day are to be taken to be in force, with all necessary changes, so far as is necessary for the purposes referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b), but for no other purpose.
(2) In subsection (1) the repealed Acts means —
(a) the 1987 Act and the Act repealed by section 36 of that Act;
(b) the Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia Debentures and Inscribed Stock Regulations 1964;
(c) the Rural and Industries Bank (Capital Stock) Regulations 1986.
(3) The Governor may, by further regulations, amend or repeal the regulations referred to in subsection (2).
35. Reference in document to officer of former Bank, effect of
A reference in any other Act, in any instrument made under any Act or in any instrument or document of any kind to the holder for the time being of a particular office of the former Bank is to be read, if there is no equivalent office of the Bank, as a reference to the managing director of the Bank.
36. Immunity etc. to continue
Despite the repeal of the 1987 Act, where the former Bank had the benefit of any immunity or privilege in respect of an act, matter or thing done or omitted before the appointed day, that immunity or privilege continues in that respect for the benefit of the Bank.
37. Former Bank to complete necessary transactions
(1) Despite the repeal of the 1987 Act the former Bank —
(a) continues as if there had been no such repeal, for the purpose of performing the function described in subsection (2); and
(b) has all such powers as are necessary or convenient for that purpose.
(2) Where any asset, right or liability to which Schedule 2 to the 1990 Act applied could not be properly vested in or succeeded to by Bank of Western Australia Ltd by the operation of that Act (whether because the matter was governed otherwise than by the law of the State, or for any other reason) and the asset, right or liability was not vested in or succeeded to by Bank of Western Australia Ltd before the repeal of that Schedule the former Bank —
(a) is to be taken to continue to hold or be liable for that asset, right or liability until the same is effectively vested in or succeeded to by the Bank; and
(b) is to take all practicable steps for the purpose of securing that such asset, right or liability is effectively vested in or succeeded to by the Bank.
(3) The former Bank is to perform the function described in subsection (2)(b) through the managing director of the Bank.
(4) The performance of the functions of the former Bank under this section does not constitute or continue the former Bank as a bank and is not to be construed as the conduct of State banking or banking business by the former Bank.
Division 7 — Miscellaneous
38. Reference in document to former name, effect of
A reference in —
(a) any Act or any other instrument made under any Act; or
(b) a document of any kind,
to the R & I Bank of Western Australia Ltd or to The Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia or a predecessor of that Bank is to be construed as if it had been amended to be, or to include, a reference to the name of the Bank, except where the context requires otherwise.
39. Non-compliance by Bank of Western Australia Ltd with certain provisions, effect of
A failure by Bank of Western Australia Ltd to comply with section 22(2)(b) or 30 or clause 2, 3 or 4 of Schedule 1 8 of the 1990 Act does not affect the validity or enforceability of any contract, arrangement or other transaction, and a person dealing with the Bank on any matter is not, and has never been, bound to inquire whether any such provision has been complied with in respect of that matter.
Part 4 — State’s shareholding in Bank on partial privatisation
40. Interpretation of s. 41
A reference to the Bank —
(a) where it first occurs in section 41(1) is to Bank of Western Australia Ltd; and
(b) elsewhere in that section is to the Bank as defined in section 19.
41. State’s shareholding, Treasurer’s functions as to
(1) If the Bank is partially privatised the shareholding in the Bank specified under section 8 vests in the Treasurer by force of this section on the day of privatisation.
(2) For the purpose of holding shares in the Bank under this section the Treasurer is a corporation sole with perpetual succession and an official seal.
(3) The Treasurer may exercise any right, power or option attached to ownership of the shares in the Bank vested in him or her.
(4) The Treasurer must not transfer or otherwise dispose of —
(a) the shares that vest in the Treasurer under subsection (1); or
(b) any further shares in the Bank that are taken up under subsection (3); or
(c) any interest in the shares referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b).
Part 5A — Provisions relating to transfer of BWA business and conduct of Bankwest business
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 1 — Preliminary
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42A. Terms used
In this Part —
Bankwest business means the banking business carried on using the Bankwest name in accordance with section 42D(1);
Bankwest name means —
(a) the name “Bankwest”; or
(b) any other name used by Bank of Western Australia Ltd in the conduct of the BWA business before the transfer day; or
(c) a name that is substantially similar to, or a derivative of, a name referred to in paragraph (a) or (b);
Bankwest owner means the person who, from time to time, owns the Bankwest business;
BWA business means the banking business conducted by Bank of Western Australia Ltd ACN 050 494 454;
CBA means Commonwealth Bank of Australia ACN 123 123 124;
head office, of the Bankwest business, means the place where day‑to‑day management of that business is carried out;
managing officer, of the Bankwest business, means the person responsible for the day‑to‑day management of that business;
point of presence means premises used principally for the conduct of the Bankwest business with members of the public, and includes premises described as a Bankwest branch, Bankwest store or Bankwest business centre, but does not include the following —
(a) an automatic teller machine;
(b) premises described as a neighbourhood bank;
(c) premises at which that business is conducted pursuant to an agency agreement;
points of presence threshold means 88 points of presence;
relevant period means the period of 5 years after the transfer day;
transfer day means the day on which the certificate of transfer relating to the transfer of the BWA business to CBA comes into force under the Financial Sector (Business Transfer and Group Restructure) Act 1999 (Commonwealth) Part 3 Division 3.
[Section 42A inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42B. Transfer of BWA business to CBA not prevented
Nothing in this Act prevents the transfer of the BWA business to CBA under the Financial Sector (Business Transfer and Group Restructure) Act 1999 (Commonwealth).
[Section 42B inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42C. Liability of owners of Bankwest business if 2 or more owners
If, at a particular time, the Bankwest business is owned by 2 or more persons, the obligations imposed by this Part on the Bankwest owner are imposed on each of those persons jointly and severally and are enforceable accordingly.
[Section 42C inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 2 — Long term obligations
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42D. CBA to carry on banking business using Bankwest name
(1) CBA must, on and after the transfer day, carry on in Western Australia a banking business using the Bankwest name.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the transfer of the Bankwest business to another person.
(3) If the Bankwest business is transferred to another person, the obligation imposed by subsection (1) becomes an obligation of the Bankwest owner.
[Section 42D inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42E. Type and scale of Bankwest business
The Bankwest owner must ensure that the Bankwest business is of substantially the same type as, and is conducted on a scale not significantly less than, the BWA business in Western Australia as at 30 June 2011.
[Section 42E inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42F. Head office of Bankwest business
The Bankwest owner must ensure that the head office of the Bankwest business is located in Western Australia.
[Section 42F inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42G. Managing officer of Bankwest business
The Bankwest owner must ensure that the managing officer of the Bankwest business, while holding office, is ordinarily resident in Western Australia.
[Section 42G inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42H. Use of certain names prohibited
(1) The Bankwest owner must not use any name in connection with the Bankwest business that suggests it is associated with the Government.
(2) The use of the Bankwest name does not contravene subsection (1).
[Section 42H inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42I. Records of Bankwest business
The Bankwest owner must ensure that sufficient records of the Bankwest business are kept in Western Australia to enable the Bankwest owner to comply with any notice given to it under section 42O(2).
[Section 42I inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 3 — Obligations relating to 5 year period after transfer day
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42J. Minimum points of presence required
(1) The Bankwest owner must ensure that, at all times during the relevant period, the number of points of presence in Western Australia is equal to or greater than the points of presence threshold except to the extent that the Minister approves in writing.
(2) The Minister must not give approval for the purposes of subsection (1) unless the Minister is satisfied that any proposed reduction below the points of presence threshold is consistent with market trends in the financial services industry.
[Section 42J inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42K. Points of presence in regional areas not to be closed
(1) The Bankwest owner must not, at any time during the relevant period, close a point of presence that —
(a) is not in the metropolitan region as defined in the Planning and Development Act 2005 section 4(1); and
(b) is not in the Mandurah local government district.
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent the closure of a point of presence if the closure results from —
(a) the relocation of the point of presence to a place within 5 km of its previous location; or
(b) the amalgamation of the point of presence with another point of presence within 5 km of its previous location.
(3) In subsection (2) —
previous location means the place where the point of presence was located immediately before the closure.
[Section 42K inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42L. Head office personnel
The Bankwest owner must ensure that, for the relevant period, the following functional positions (however they may be designated) are maintained at the head office of the Bankwest business —
(a) chief information officer for that business;
(b) chief financial officer for that business;
(c) chief risk officer for that business;
(d) head of human resources for that business.
[Section 42L inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42M. Local sponsorship and community development initiatives
The Bankwest owner must ensure that, in each year of the relevant period, the Bankwest business expends an aggregate amount on local sponsorship and community development initiatives in Western Australia that is not less than the aggregate amount expended on such initiatives by the BWA business in the year ending on 30 June 2011.
[Section 42M inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 4 — Monitoring compliance
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42N. Bankwest owner to give annual certificate of compliance with this Part
(1) The Bankwest owner must, within 90 days after the end of each financial year of the Bankwest business, give the Minister a certificate to the effect that it has complied with the obligations imposed by this Part.
(2) The certificate must be —
(a) signed by the managing officer of the Bankwest business and the chief financial officer of the Bankwest owner; and
(b) verified by each of those persons by statutory declaration; and
(c) laid before each House of Parliament by the Minister or dealt with in accordance with subsection (3) within 30 days after receipt of the certificate referred to in subsection (1).
(3) If —
(a) a House of Parliament is not sitting at the commencement of the period referred to in subsection (2)(c) in respect of a certificate; and
(b) the Minister is of the opinion that that House will not sit during that period,
the Minister is to transmit a copy of the certificate to the Clerk of that House.
(4) A copy of a certificate transmitted to the Clerk of a House is to be taken to have been laid before that House.
(5) The laying of a copy of a certificate that is regarded as having occurred under subsection (4) is to be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings, or Minutes, of the House on the first sitting day of the House after the Clerk received the copy.
[Section 42N inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42O. Minister may require Bankwest owner to give information
(1) In this section —
business information means statistical information about the operation of the Bankwest business as at 30 June or 31 December in a particular year, including information about the following —
(a) points of presence in Western Australia;
(b) the number of customers in Western Australia and the gross value of the business with those customers;
(c) the number of full‑time equivalent employees in Western Australia.
(2) The Minister may, by written notice, require the Bankwest owner to give business information to the Minister for the purpose of enabling the Minister to assess the Bankwest owner’s compliance with the obligations imposed by this Part.
(3) A notice under subsection (2) must give a brief description of the business information sought.
(4) The Bankwest owner must comply with a notice under subsection (2) within —
(a) 60 days after the notice is given; or
(b) any longer period that the Minister, in a particular case, allows.
(5) The Minister must not disclose information provided in compliance with a notice under subsection (2) for any purpose other than the purpose for which it was given unless the disclosure is authorised by subsection (6).
(6) The disclosure is authorised if —
(a) it is made with the consent of the Bankwest owner; or
(b) it is required under another written law; or
(c) it is made for the purpose of —
(i) answering a question asked in a House of Parliament; or
(ii) complying with an order or resolution of a House of Parliament that requires information to be given to a House of Parliament.
(7) Before making a disclosure authorised by subsection (6)(b) or (c), the Minister must give the Bankwest owner written notice of the proposed disclosure if it is reasonably practicable to do so.
[Section 42O inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 5 — Enforcement of Divisions 2, 3 and 4
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42P. Methods of enforcement
(1) The obligations imposed by Divisions 2 and 4 are enforceable under section 42Q and not otherwise.
(2) The obligations imposed by Division 3 are enforceable under section 42R and not otherwise.
[Section 42P inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42Q. Enforcement of Div. 2 and 4, Supreme Court’s powers for
(1) The Supreme Court may, on the application of the Minister, grant an injunction in such terms as the court thinks fit where the court is satisfied that the Bankwest owner —
(a) has done or omitted to do or is proposing or attempting to do or omit to do any thing that amounts to, or would amount to, a contravention of a provision of Division 2 or 4; or
(b) is involved in a contravention of a provision of Division 2 or 4.
(2) An interim or interlocutory injunction may be granted before final determination of an application.
(3) If the Minister applies to the Supreme Court for an injunction under this section, the court is not to require the Minister, as a condition of granting an interim injunction, to give an undertaking as to damages.
(4) A reference in subsection (1) to a person being involved in a contravention is a reference to a person who —
(a) has aided, abetted, counselled or procured the contravention; or
(b) has induced the contravention, whether by threats or promises or otherwise; or
(c) has been in any way, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, the contravention; or
(d) has conspired with others to effect the contravention; or
(e) has attempted to do any act of a kind referred to in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).
[Section 42Q inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42R. Enforcement of Div. 3, Minister’s powers for
(1) If the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that the Bankwest owner is contravening or has contravened a provision of Division 3, the Minister may give the Bankwest owner a notice (a contravention notice) —
(a) specifying the provision that the Minister believes is being or has been contravened; and
(b) containing a brief description of the contravention; and
(c) stating that the Bankwest owner has a period of 28 days after the contravention notice is given within which to satisfy the Minister that the contravention is not occurring or has not occurred.
(2) A contravention notice may relate to more than one contravention.
(3) If the Bankwest owner fails to satisfy the Minister that a contravention specified in a contravention notice is not occurring or has not occurred, the Minister may give the Bankwest owner a further notice (a penalty notice) —
(a) specifying the contravention to which it relates; and
(b) stating that the Bankwest owner is liable to pay to the Minister an amount in respect of the contravention; and
(c) fixing the amount that the Bankwest owner is liable to pay in respect of the contravention at $2 million; and
(d) requiring the Bankwest owner to pay the amount to the Minister within 14 days after the penalty notice is given.
(4) A penalty notice may relate to more than one contravention and, if it does, the references in subsection (3)(b) and (c) to the contravention are to be read as references to each contravention.
(5) If the Bankwest owner fails to comply with the penalty notice, the Minister may lodge a certified copy of it in the Supreme Court.
(6) When lodged, the penalty notice is to be taken to be a judgment of the Supreme Court for a debt payable by the Bankwest owner to the Minister of an amount equal to the aggregate amount fixed in the penalty notice, and may be enforced accordingly.
(7) An amount paid to, or recovered by, the Minister under this section is to be credited to the Consolidated Account.
[Section 42R inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Division 6 — Other provisions
[Heading inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42S. Transfer day, notification of
(1) The Minister is to cause notification of the transfer day 5 to be published in the Gazette.
(2) Failure to comply with subsection (1) does not affect the operation of the other provisions of this Part.
[Section 42S inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
42T. Certain matters are excluded matters for Corporations Act 2001 (Cwlth)
The matters dealt with in Divisions 2 and 3 are declared to be excluded matters for the purposes of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) section 5F in relation to the whole of the Corporations legislation to which Part 1.1A of that Act applies.
[Section 42T inserted: No. 14 of 2012 s. 7.]
Part 5 — General
42. Regulations
The Governor may make regulations prescribing all matters that are required or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for giving effect to this Act.
43. Bank of Western Australia Act 1990, transitional provisions for
[(1)-(3) Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
(4) Division 2 of Schedule 1 has effect to make transitional provisions.
44. Other Acts, transitional provisions
[(1) Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
(2) Part B of Schedule 2 has effect to make transitional provisions.
Schedule 1 — Provisions relating to Bank of Western Australia Act 1990
[s. 43(3) and (4)]
[Heading amended: No. 19 of 2010 s. 4.]
[Division 1 omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
Division 2 — Transitional provisions
Terms used
In this Division —
1990 Act means the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 2;
Bank has the meaning given by section 19.
Auditor General may disclose information
(1) Despite section 91 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, the Auditor General may disclose to another auditor or provide another auditor with access to, information in his or her possession or under his or her control for the purposes of the audit of the Bank’s accounts for the financial year during which the Bank is privatised under Part 2.
(2) In subclause (1) another auditor means an auditor, other than the Auditor General, who is appointed by the Bank to audit the Bank’s accounts for the financial year referred to in subclause (1).
Payments under repealed s. 31 up to day of privatisation
(1) The repeal of section 31 of the 1990 Act 9 does not affect the liability of the Bank under that section in respect of the period from the preceding 1 October to the day on which the Bank becomes liable to tax referred to in that section.
(2) For the purposes of subclause (1), section 31 has effect, despite its repeal, as if the period referred to in subclause (1) were a financial year.
Agreements under s. 33(4a)
The repeal of section 33 of the 1990 Act 10 does not affect any agreement made under subsection (4a) of that section so far as it applies to a period after the repeal, and any such agreement continues in force as if it had been made under section 21(2) of this Act.
Securities taken as agent of Crown
(1) Any security for the repayment of advances vested in the Bank immediately before the commencement of section 43 that was taken by the Bank or a predecessor of the Bank as agent, trustee or nominee of the Crown in right of the State is vested in the Treasurer on the commencement of that section.
(2) Any relevant official who records or registers documents under a written law is to take cognizance of subclause (1) and is authorised to make any entry or memorial or register any document necessary to show the effect of that subclause.
(3) A statement in an instrument executed by or on behalf of the Treasurer that any security has become vested in the Treasurer under subclause (1) is evidence of that fact.
(4) If any question arises as to whether a security comes within subclause (1) the question is to be determined by the Treasurer after consultation with the Bank.
Schedule 2 — Provisions relating to other Acts
[s. 44]
[Heading amended: No. 19 of 2010 s. 4.]
[Part A omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).]
Part B — Transitional provisions
Provision relating to Industry (Advances) Act 1947
(1) Any security for the repayment of advances taken under the Industry (Advances) Act 1947 11 and vested in the Bank immediately before the commencement of section 44 is vested in the Treasurer on the commencement of that section.
(2) Any relevant official who records and registers documents under a written law is to take cognizance of subclause (1) and is authorised to make any entry or memorial or register any document necessary to show the effect of that subclause.
(3) A statement in an instrument executed by or on behalf of the Treasurer that any security has become vested in the Treasurer under subclause (1) is evidence of that fact.
Provisions relating to Superannuation and Family Benefits Act 1938
(1) Despite the amendment made by item 13 of Part A of this Schedule 12, the Bank is to be deemed to be a department under section 6(1) of the Act in respect of any employee who was a contributor under that Act immediately before the day of privatisation.
(2) A person who was such a contributor may continue to be a contributor after the day of privatisation so long as the person remains an employee of the Bank.
(3) The Bank, the Government Employees Superannuation Board and the Treasurer are to enter into an agreement —
(a) defining the entitlement to benefits that are to have effect for the purposes of the Act in respect of contributors referred to in subclause (1) and persons referred to in section 62 of the Act in relation to such contributors; and
(b) fixing the value of the amount required to fund those benefits.
(4) To the extent that any matter referred to in subclause (3) is not agreed under that subclause within a period that the Treasurer thinks is reasonable the matter is to be determined by the Treasurer.
(5) The Bank is to pay to the Treasurer the amount agreed under subclause (3)(b) or determined under subclause (4) at such time as is provided for in the agreement or determination.
(6) Subclauses (1) to (5) and any agreement under subclause (3) or determination under subclause (4) have effect despite any provision of the Act.
(7) In subclauses (1) to (6) —
Act means the Superannuation and Family Benefits Act 1938 13;
Bank has the meaning given by section 19 and includes the Bank in its capacity as trustee of the BankWest State Superannuation Scheme;
employee has the same meaning as it has in the Act.
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Notes
This is a compilation of the Bank of Western Australia Act 1995 and includes amendments made by other written laws. For provisions that have come into operation, and for information about any reprints, see the compilation table. For provisions that have not yet come into operation see the uncommenced provisions table.
Compilation table
Short title
Number and year
Assent
Commencement
Bank of Western Australia Act 1995
14 of 1995
4 Jul 1995
Long title, Pt. 1 & 2 (other than s. 11), s. 43(1) and (2): 4 Jul 1995 (see s. 2(1)); balance (other than s. 11): 1 Dec 1995 (see s. 2(3) and 9 and Gazette 29 Nov 1995 p. 5529)
Corporations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 Pt. 6
10 of 2001
28 Jun 2001
15 Jul 2001 (see s. 2 and Gazette 29 Jun 2001 p. 3257 and Cwlth Gazette 13 Jul 2001 No. S285)
Reprint 1: The Bank of Western Australia Act 1995 as at 7 May 2004 (includes amendments listed above)
Financial Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2006 s. 4 and Sch. 1 cl. 14
77 of 2006
21 Dec 2006
1 Feb 2007 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 19 Jan 2007 p. 137)
Statutes (Repeals and Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009 s. 24
8 of 2009
21 May 2009
22 May 2009 (see s. 2(b))
Standardisation of Formatting Act 2010 s. 4
19 of 2010
28 Jun 2010
11 Sep 2010 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 10 Sep 2010 p. 4341)
Bank of Western Australia Amendment Act 2012 Pt. 2
14 of 2012
3 Jul 2012
11 Aug 2012 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 10 Aug 2012 p. 3803)
Reprint 2: The Bank of Western Australia Act 1995 as at 1 Mar 2013 (includes amendments listed above)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2025 s. 11
14 of 2025
25 Sep 2025
26 Sep 2025 (see s. 2(b))
Uncommenced provisions table
To view the text of the uncommenced provisions see Acts as passed on the WA legislation website.
Short title
Number and year
Assent
Commencement
State Superannuation (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000 s. 75
43 of 2000
2 Nov 2000
To be proclaimed (see s. 2(2))
Evidence Act 2025 Pt. 12 Div. 5
15 of 2025
25 Sep 2025
To be proclaimed (see s. 2(e))
Other notes
1 The provisions in this Act amending the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 and other Acts have been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).
2 The Bank of Western Australia Act 1990 (originally enacted as the R&I Bank Act 1990), the short title of which was changed to the R & I Holdings Act 1990 by this Act Sch. 1 cl. 2, was repealed under the R & I Holdings Act 1990 s. 22(2); see Gazette 26 Jun 2001 p. 3063. [Section 22 was inserted in the 1990 Act by this Act Sch. 1 cl. 9.]
3 Repealed by the Rural and Industries Bank of Western Australia Act 1987 s. 36.
4 Repealed by the R & I Bank Act 1990 s. 43.
5 The transfer day is defined in s. 42A and is 1 Oct 2012 (see Gazette 9 Nov 2012 p. 5393).
6 Section 28 expired 25 Oct 1996 (see s. 28(2)).
7 The provision of this Act repealing Schedule 2 of the 1990 Act has been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).
8 The 1990 Act s. 22(2)(b) and 30 and Sch. 1 cl. 2, 3 and 4 were repealed by this Act Sch. 1 Div. 1 and have been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).
9 The provision of this Act (i.e. Sch. 1 cl. 10) repealing the 1990 Act s. 31 has been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).
10 The provision of this Act (i.e. Sch. 1 cl. 10) repealing the 1990 Act s. 33 has been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e).
11 The Industry (Advances) Act 1947 was repealed by the Industry and Technology Development Act 1998.
12 Schedule 2 Part A Item 13 has been omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(e). It reads as follows:
13. Superannuation and Family Benefits Act 1938
In section 6(1) in the definition of “department” delete “the Bank of Western Australia Ltd referred to in section 22 of the Bank of Western Australia Act 1990,”.
13 The Superannuation and Family Benefits Act 1938 was repealed by the State Superannuation Act 2000 s. 39 but its provisions continue to apply to and in relation to certain schemes because of the State Superannuation (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000 s. 26.
Defined terms
[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]
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