To ask the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations (for the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business): In relation to the Vertex call centre located in Ballarat:
(1) On what date was the minister’s office advised that the call centre may not proceed.
(2) On what date was the minister advised that the call centre may not proceed.
(3) Who advised the minister that the call centre may not proceed.
(4) Who advised the minister’s office that the call centre may not proceed.
(5) If the minister was advised that the call centre may not proceed other than personally by a representative of Vertex, did the minister, subsequent to receiving advice or information of the losses, make personal contact with Vertex; if so, on what date did the minister make that contact.
(6) Subsequent to receiving advice that the call centre may not proceed did the minister instruct the department to make contact with Vertex; if so, on what date did the minister give that instruction.
(7) Did the minister make any public comments or statements about these job losses prior to 22 March 2011; if so, on what date or dates were those statements made.
(8) What action did the minister take to support Vertex in expanding its operations by opening a customer support centre in Ballarat.
ANSWER:
I am informed as follows:
In relation to the Vertex call centre located in Ballarat:
The first time I found out that the Ballarat Vertex call centre may not proceed was when I was in opposition, around September 2010.
In government, my office was advised on 14 February 2011 that the Vertex customer support centre in Ballarat may not proceed.
A letter from Vertex was sent to Department of Business and Innovation representatives advising them that the centre may not proceed on 1 February 2011.
Vertex has continued to deal with senior executives within my department and has been in ongoing communication with Vertex to assist them expand its operations in Victoria.
I did not make any public comments or statements about these job losses prior to 22 March 2011.
The Department of Business and Innovation has provided ongoing support to Vertex in its endeavours to establish a contact centre in Ballarat.