Ocotber 20, 2015
Keeping the ASIC business registry in Traralgon remains a key factor for the Australian Government in its assessment of potential new operators, Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann today announced that more than 10 expressions of interest (EOI) had been received as part of the initial phase of the ASIC business registry tender process.
Mr Chester said he had made it clear that the Latrobe Valley expected the ASIC business registry to remain in Traralgon.
“I am glad to see positive signs regarding the acknowledgement by bidders that the Traralgon community wants the ASIC registry to stay where it is,” Mr Chester said.
“I’m advised that several parties who came forward were very interested in upgrading and operating the ASIC registry at the Traralgon offices in Grey Street.
“Further to this, the Australian Government has made clear its strong preference for the registry to maintain its existing operations in Traralgon, including commitments from parties that are prepared to enhance operations in the Latrobe Valley area more broadly.”
Mr Chester said he had been working closely with the Minister for Finance and Department of Finance, and was receiving regular briefings on the EOI phase.
“Together with Member for McMillan Russell Broadbent, Member for Morwell Russell Northe and Latrobe City Mayor Dale Harriman, I have been reiterating to the Finance Minister the importance of the ASIC registry remaining in Traralgon,” Mr Chester said.
“The ASIC registry operation in Traralgon employs highly-trained and experienced workers who are firmly entrenched in our local community.
“I will continue to keep the Latrobe Valley region updated as more information comes to hand throughout the competitive tender process.”
The registry employs about 200 staff dealing with close to 1.1 million public enquiries annually, including the registration of 350,000 new business names.