What are your rights if you want to withdraw early?

Q.

My mum invested $70,000 in a 12 month fixed term account. She is wanting to withdraw $10,000 of this for medical expenses for her daughter and the bank won't let her. What are her rights?

The bank is not legally obliged to break a term deposit but it is usual practice to give you access to the money and pay you a lower rate of interest. I suggest you talk to a person who is higher up the chain in the bank and keep on doing this until you find someone who can help.