Claims 120 Synergy jobs to go to India

Energy Minister Peter Collier said he is seeking legal advice on whether he has capacity to stop Synergy relocating jobs overseas, after the state opposition claimed that more than 120 Western Australian jobs will head to India.

In a statement today, Shadow Minister for Energy Kate Doust said Synergy is currently negotiating with an Indian-based IT company with a view to send IT jobs overseas.

"The Liberal Government is not doing anything to protect Western Australian jobs at this critical time of global financial crisis," Ms Doust said.

"Synergy workers need Energy Minister Peter Collier to tell the Board that he requires these jobs to stay in Western Australia to benefit our local economy."

Mr Collier told WA Business News that he has been in constant communication with the energy retailer regarding the matter and had made the state government's position very clear.

"I'm well aware of the speculation and I've made it very, very clear to Synergy that I do not want to see West Australian jobs go overseas," he said.

"I am seeking legal advice .... I like to think however that I won't have to go down that path."

He added that the 120 figure was "highly inflated".

Synergy is currently undertaking a business transformation program, which includes the implementation of a new customer care and billing system.

The tendering process for the system has yet to end.

Synergy managing director Jim Mitchell noted the job relocation speculation in a statement emailed to WA Business News.

"The speculation far exceeds anything that is being considered by Synergy," Mr Mitchell said.

"Synergy will not comment on ongoing discussions it is having, to maintain competitive tension in the market and to secure the best outcome for the business, which is in the best interests of Synergy's customers.

"Our business transformation has always included maintaining an IT, contact centre and back office functionality at Synergy."

Mr Collier said the previous Labor government had approved the business case for the new billing system and were advised by Synergy there could be a possible head count reduction.

"Garbage, absolute garbage," Mr Collier said in response to the opposition's claims the state government was not doing enough to keep jobs here in WA.

"The previous government was well aware of the situation."

The news comes as BankWest, now owned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, revealed it will axe 400 jobs this year, 250 of which will come from its WA operations.