Abbott sees banks’ view

TONY Abbott empathises with the big banks over the federal government’s proposed bank levy. The five big banks that will be hit by the $6.2 billion levy say it will need to be passed on to customers, shareholders or both. “No one should want to increase taxes, even on banks," Mr Abbott said. “I can certainly understand the banks fighting back.” Mr Abbott said he also understood the government’s need to raise money and to prevent its budget unravelling.