Sam Tarascio’s Salta blames Centrelink for Abbotsford closure

Billionaire Sam Tarascio at Taralinga Estate in Victoria. Picture: Supplied

The billionaire Melbourne Tarascio family has returned Social Services Minister Stuart Robert’s fire over the immediate closure of the Centrelink office in Abbotsford.

The billionaire property group led by patriarch Sam Terascio, 75, has rejected claims from Services Australia that the family’s Salta Properties “required” Centrelink to leave the Victoria Street, Abbotsford premises, which is set to close on Thursday.

“Services Australia, on behalf of Centrelink, had previously informed Salta Properties that it wanted to extend the lease and Salta had agreed to an extension,” a Salta spokesman said.

“Services Australia had sent a Deed of Extension to Salta, which had sent back its comments. Salta never heard back.”

In a statement on Wednesday Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said: “The outcome of comprehensive lease negotiations with the Yarra Service Centre landlord has resulted in Services Australia being required to vacate the building before the lease expiry date of 22 May 2020”.

The conflicting accounts of how Robert’s department came to be closing the centre, which offers both Centrelink and Medicare services, comes as Australia’s unemployment rate skyrockets amid the Coronavirus-driven economic crisis.

The inner city building is owned by Taras Nominees Pty Ltd.

Company records show that Taras Nominees is controlled by Salta Properties Pty Ltd, which is owned by Tarascio, who is executive director of the group.

According to The Australian’s list of our nation’s wealthiest people, The List, Tarascio is estimated to be worth $1.43 billion. The billionaire is assisted in the operation of his empire by his 44-year-old son, Sam Tarascio Jnr.

Salta Properties is one of Australia’s largest privately-owned companies.

It owns and manages commercial property all over Melbourne, including the Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre that is nearby to the Abbotsford Centrelink office.

“Salta Properties was shocked to learn (Wednesday) on Twitter of Centrelink’s decision to vacate the premises,” the company spokesman said.

“This morning it reached out again to Centrelink to confirm the premises remain available and it is welcome to stay.”

The Abbotsford centre has seen some of the longest queues as the COVID-19 crisis struck the local economy as businesses all over the southern capital were shut down and employees laid off.

Services will now be consolidated at the South Melbourne service centre, which is six kilometres away.