Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is demanding a ‘local jobs guarantee’ following the announcement that ASIC doesn’t intend to renew its lease of Traralgon office space held by the Australian Taxation Office.
In an open letter to the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Mr Chester said he was deeply concerned about the social and economic impacts, given recent job losses in the Latrobe Valley.
“By way of background, I’m sure you are aware the operations in Traralgon were an initiative of the Hawke-Keating Government which supported the principle of decentralisation of Australian Public Service staff,” Mr Chester wrote.
“It’s my understanding the Traralgon office has delivered for the Commonwealth with higher rates of staff retention and a productive workforce over the past 30 years.
“From the feedback I have received from staff, it is considered a desirable place to work in a region which offers comparatively few opportunities of this nature.
“My purpose in writing to you is to express my deep concerns on behalf of my constituents that your government maybe intending to abandon the Hawke-Keating legacy and withdraw APS staff from Gippsland.
“I have been advised that the lease on the Traralgon office expires in 2025 and ASIC has already advised the ATO that it doesn’t intend to remain a tenant in the building. For the record, I was not consulted and the advice was provided to me, and approximately 90 staff, as a foregone conclusion.
“At the same time, I am advised the ATO is approaching the market to secure new premises for approximately 160 staff post 2025, with no assurances the office will be in Traralgon, or in fact the seat of Gippsland.
“The action I am seeking is a guarantee from your government that there will be no reduction in APS numbers in the seat of Gippsland as a result of this activity.
“At a time when Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley is experiencing significant economic shocks related to the transition in the energy sector and the State Government’s failure to support the native hardwood timber sector, we can’t afford further job losses.”
Mr Chester offered to work with the Treasurer and the Federal Government to secure local jobs.
“It would be an appalling decision by your government to abandon the Latrobe Valley as we seek to secure job opportunities for existing residents and the next generation of young Gippslanders,” Mr Chester said.
“Please advise what steps your government is taking to secure APS employment opportunities in the electorate of Gippsland and provide my community with some assurances that their families have a long-term future in the Latrobe Valley.
“We need a local jobs guarantee from your government at this challenging time.”