Dear Shareholder

I invite you as a shareholder of Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac) to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday,
11 December 2008, which will be held in the Parkside Auditorium, Level 1, at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Drive, Darling Harbour, Sydney. The AGM is scheduled to commence at 10.30 am.

The AGM will also be transmitted live to an information meeting in Melbourne, to be held in The Grand Ballroom, Level 1 at the Sofitel Melbourne On Collins, 25 Collins Street, Melbourne. At the information meeting you will be able to observe the AGM proceedings and ask questions but you will not be able to vote. Details regarding the two venues are contained in the attached notice of meeting. Further, the AGM will be webcast live via Westpac’s website at www.westpac.com.au/investorcentre and include Auslan (Australian Sign Language) coverage of the proceedings.

The Chief Executive Officer, Gail Kelly, and I will discuss Westpac’s performance during the year to 30 September 2008 at the AGM.
I refer you to Westpac’s 2008 Annual Review and 2008 Annual Report, available on Westpac’s website or enclosed in this mailing,
if you elected to receive either of them. Our speeches will also be available on Westpac’s website as Podcast files.

The AGM will also cover the ordinary business items listed in the Notice of Meeting and I will endeavour to address the most frequently asked questions raised by shareholders.

If you are a holder of Westpac ordinary shares and unable to attend the AGM or if you are attending the information meeting in Melbourne, please appoint a proxy to attend and vote on your behalf, either using the enclosed proxy form or online via Westpac’s share registry’s website at www.linkmarketservices.com.au

If you plan to attend the AGM, please download and complete the proxy form to facilitate your registration, which will commence
at 9.30am.

I also welcome the holders of Westpac Stapled Preferred Securities (Westpac SPS) to attend and speak at the AGM. However, you are not entitled to vote on any of the proposed resolutions in accordance with the terms of the Westpac SPS.

Shareholders are invited to join the Board and the Executive Officers for light refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting.

Yours sincerely

Ted Evans AC
Chairman