For years, Australians have been screaming for a royal commission into the banking and finance sector and now they have one they are welcoming it with open arms – and a healthy dose of scepticism and humour.
The royal commission is serious business, and the stories of those who have been blighted by poor banking practices, shonky financial advice and all-round rorting are not to be mocked.
However, Australians are known for dealing with these situations with gusto and a sense of humour, and in what may be part of a collective sigh of relief, these Twitter reactions to this morning’s announcement are priceless.
So @TurnbullMalcolm claims that not having a #BanksRC is in the interests of the economy. If he gave a crap about the economy, he would do something about #inequality and flatlining wages during increasing corporate profits. If people can’t spend, the handbrake is on.#Auspol
— Bridget Clinch (@CaptainBridget) November 29, 2017
Today is a massive win for Chris Kenny, an advocate of kinda maybe having a Royal Commission into banks from way back on November 28th. pic.twitter.com/m34dOfCBA0
— Kenny Devine (@TheKennyDevine) November 29, 2017
Banks: We don’t want a royal commission.
Government: Royal commissions are terrible. No royal commission.
Banks: Ok, now we want a royal commission.
Government: Royal commissions for everyone!!! YOU get a commission, YOU get a commission…#auspol pic.twitter.com/XtxUirb7VK— Trent Pardey (@TrentPardey) November 29, 2017
The awkward moment when you are bashing bill shorten when implementing a labor policy. Again great backbone Malcolm #auspol #BanksRC
— AJEM (@paraboliclimit) November 29, 2017
Turnbull ????will release the Terms of Reference for Banking Royal Commission as soon as the bank bosses have finished drafting it????#auspol pic.twitter.com/TOg8K99vN2
— ian lisser (@ianlisser) November 30, 2017
I can sense the email deletions and document shreddings from here like disturbances in the force #auspol #BanksRC
— Morgan (@MorganBull) November 29, 2017
Well done @TurnbullMalcolm on the Royal Commission. True (and strong) Leadership again on show. Now all you’ve got to do is fix the terms of reference so it doesn’t find anything. Genius!#auspol #BanksRC
— TonyB (@TonyB_Melb) November 29, 2017
#BREAKING The Prime Minister announces a royal commission into the financial services industry after leaders of the big four banks call for one to remove ‘political uncertainty’ #auspol @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/Chuz6rGxkq
— Amy Greenbank (@Amy_Greenbank) November 29, 2017
Yesterday a banking royal commission was going to lead to instability in the Australian economy… Today a RC is required to provide that stability?? #auspol #royalcommission
— Julia Holman (@JulesHolman) November 29, 2017
TFW one has no choice but to backflip on a banking royal commission #auspol #BanksRC pic.twitter.com/yM8pvGTkz7
— Alicia Clancy (@clancyal) November 29, 2017
What was your reaction to the announcement of a banking royal commission? Why not share it and we’ll choose the best for publication?
I want to know where I can buy the invisible strings? Turnbull is clearly a puppet but I cannot see the strings… Oh wait… are you saying glove puppet?
What’s this guys name again? Was it Turncoat? Trumpbull? Tremble? Turnabout? Turnbull! that’s it!
By the time I remember it properly, he will be gone.
I look forward to his Liberal replacement, Eric, Tony, Julie: Choose one (or none).
Try Turdball.
In fact, a small, vocal group has been calling for a Royal Commission and Labor upped the ante in a populous move to try and gain votes. Now the government has control of the Commission and will set the rules.