According to the Geelong Advertiser, Victoria based Australian Tourism Centre has closed it doors.
Staff in the Melbourne office were sacked earlier this week, with the Geelong office closing on Wednesday.
Company bosses said they ceased trading on Friday, blaming a prolonged legal stoush with two key Victorian Government departments for the closure.
“When I was first employed it was advertised as telemarketing, paying $20 to $60 an hour,” one former staffer who wanted to be known only as Mandy said.
“It was actually commission-based and we got paid $36 for every double voucher we sold.”
The company used telemarketers to call residents and conduct surveys about their holiday habits, she said.
It is believed up to 20 staff worked in both offices.
Business owner Stephen Glenister is said to be seriously ill in hospital in Geelong following the collapse. His wife Ann, speaking from their Lara home, yesterday said the company’s demise was brought about by a conspiracy between two State Government agencies, Consumer Affairs Victoria and Tourism Victoria.
Mrs Glenister said solicitors were deciding whether the company would be placed into administration and how best to proceed with legal action against the Government.
“I’m contacting staff and most have been paid up to last week so any outstanding amounts are small,” she said.
“The Australian Tourism Centre has an option of fighting out a legal battle or winding up the company.” “If we go into insolvency then that’s a process of selling off the company’s assets.” “Staff will be compensated but there may be delays.”
A Report by the Mole
