OPTUS INVESTMENT CREATES MORE JOBS FOR ADELAIDE

Member for Adelaide, Jane Lomax-Smith, today officially opened Optus' new Small Business Centre in Adelaide.

Optus' $2.5 million-dollar investment in the centre created full-time employment opportunities for 68 South Australians.

Allen Lew, Managing Director Optus Mobile, said the centre was an important investment to support the growth of its national Small Business division.

"Optus' Small Business division was set up almost 2 years ago, to offer small to medium sized businesses a one-stop-shop for all their telecommunications solutions.

"Optus understands that small business operators are typically time-poor. We believe we have a unique approach to servicing them - by offering the flexibility and choice to access our telecommunications experts over the phone, in a store, or face to face in their premises.

"The new Small Business Centre officially opened today extends our phone-based outbound and inbound sales activities - utilising our range of mobile, fixed line telephone and internet products -for existing and prospective customers.

"Optus has chosen to expand in Adelaide due to its stable and well-educated work-force. We have attracted individuals looking to acquire sales and business development skills, and stimulated the South Australian job market by offering a new career path to many people," Mr Lew said.

Dr Lomax-Smith said Optus' investment confirms that Adelaide is an attractive place to do business.

"The new Small Business Centre, funded entirely by Optus, is a good example of business standing on its own feet and recognising Adelaide's recent ranking as the best place to do business in the Asia-Pacific.

"This kind of investment in our city will help us towards our State Strategic Plan target to maintain Adelaide's rating as the least costly place to set up and do business in Australia," Dr Lomax-Smith said.

The Small Business Centre is located on the former Australian Tax Office site in Pulteney Street, and commenced operations in July 2004.

Optus employs more than 1,300 people in South Australia, and also operates two call centres in North Terrace and Technology Park.

Media contact:
Cathy Knezevic
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 9342 5302