Yesterday, the ATO announced the office, located in Kite Street’s Commonwealth offices, would close on October 31. It will be one of 10 closed across Australia within six months, affecting 72 staff. 

Community and Public Sector Union spokeswoman Emma Groube said it was unclear whether the four Orange employees would be redeployed or made redundant.

“The tax office will give staff the opportunity to redeploy to the city or Penrith,” she said.

“They are exploring options in other government departments in Orange, but most have been downsizing.”

“It may mean [the staff members] are made redundant.”

Ms Groube said the employees were upset and angry following the decision and the CPSU believed the closure was the wrong decision.

“It’s a slap in the face for hard-working staff,” she said.

“They’ve established a good working relationship with businesses and those businesses can’t expect the same level of service if they’re dealing with people over the phone or on the internet.”

She said city-based tax officers would not have the same understanding of Orange’s economy.

The four employees work as field officers, running workshops and meetings to advise businesses of their tax obligations and working with businesses failing to meet those responsibilities.

The ATO was among the hardest hit by the federal budget. It will lose 4700 staff across the forward estimates and more than 2000 in the coming financial year.

ATO executives will visit affected sites in the coming weeks to discuss options with staff.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au