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Monday 3 December 2007
Morris Iemma’s trip to India last month to supposedly generate more job opportunities for NSW was simply an exercise in spin, after revelations the Labor Government contracted workers in India to monitor the state’s computer-based telephone network and related systems, Shadow Minister for Commerce Mike Baird said today.
“Morris Iemma is being a hypocrite, claiming he travelled to India to create new jobs for NSW workers while outsourcing jobs to India,” Mr Baird said.
“Last year the NSW Department of Corrective Services contracted 3D Networks to provide its Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) network, however 3D outsources the monitoring of the network to Planet One whose staff in Bangalore handle out-of-hours monitoring,” he said.
“NSW workers are missing out on these jobs and there is an obvious potential security risk when outsourcing IT systems.
“The Premier has been outspoken in his criticism of Westpac’s use of an Indian call-centre, yet his Government is doing exactly the same.
“It is difficult for the people of NSW to trust the Iemma Government when they thunder the importance of NSW workers to their business partners yet happily outsource themselves.
“Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last month show NSW remains significantly behind other states in economic growth, holding back job creation.
“If the Iemma Government is going to improve the state’s economic growth, which is currently the second-lowest in the country, there should be incentives for employment in NSW, not a policy of outsourcing.
“What other jobs are the Iemma Government planning to outsource?” Mr Baird said.
Mr Baird called for an Auditor General investigation into the integrity of all NSW Government IT systems to prevent potential security breeches, particularly from outsourcing arrangements.
“NSW residents need to be assured that sensitive information on the state’s computer networks is not being compromised,” Mr Baird said.
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880
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