Coops offer alternative
They’re not widely publicised, but co-operatives and mutuals give customers a different option to the major banks. You might not like the fact that the big banks dominate 90 per cent of the mortgage lending market or that the finance industry makes a fortune investing your compulsory super in other big companies that buy up smaller competitors but, according to most pundits, that’s capitalism. And, unless you want to live in a cave and weave baskets by candlelight, there is nothing that can be done about it. Except there is. Indeed, not only is an alternative possible, alternatives to the giant corporations chasing giant profits already exist and thrive in Australia.
Related documents
Between the Lines Newsletter
The biggest stories and the best analysis from the team at the Australia Institute, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.
You might also like
Australians should be proud of our preferential voting, but there is an alternative
A record number of Australians voted for independents and minor parties at the most recent federal election election.
Fearful and frozen: Why the Reserve Bank continues to err on rates
The RBA’s failures have real consequences. It should go back and closely reread the recommendations of the RBA review, particularly the ones that encourage it to open up to new and diverse viewpoints.
Climate crisis escalates cost-of-living pressures
A new report has found direct connections between the climate crisis and rising cost-of-living pressures. Failure to lower emissions now will only aggravate the crisis, with each moment of inaction compounding the pressure on households.
 
        

