ANSETT BOOSTS EMPLOYMENT WITH NEW CANBERRA CALL CENTRE

Ansett Australia is creating 40 new jobs in the Australian Capital Territory at a new call centre officially opened today by Mr Gary Humphries MLA, Chief Minister of the ACT.

Ansett's new Customer Contact Centre, located in the southern suburb of Tuggeranong, employs 150 people and handles 25,000 calls per week.

Ansett's President and CEO, Mr Gary Toomey said, "We are proud to be the ACT's largest airline employer with a staff of more than 300.

"The opening of this dedicated customer contact facility cements Ansett's long-term future in the ACT.

"Ansett has a tradition of being an investor in infrastructure, technology, people, skills and training - not just in the mass markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, but right across Australia in every state and territory," Mr Toomey added.

Chief Minister Humphries said, "This latest investment by Ansett has provided a welcome boost to employment in a part of Canberra which has seen significant growth over the last decade."

"Ansett's commitment provides a further demonstration of the ACT being an attractive place for business investment," he added.

Mr Toomey thanked the Chief Minister for the personal interest he had shown in the project and for the co-operation of the ACT Government in facilitating the timely completion of the project.

After a short opening ceremony and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, the Chief Minister toured the facility accompanied by Mr Toomey.

Construction of the centre commenced in October 2000 and was completed in June 2001, employing up to 150 local trades-people on the site.

The centre is located at 151 Oakden St Tuggeranong and operates seven days a week from 6.30am to 10.30pm.