Adelaide vacancies for an Operations & Logistics Manager, an Operations Coordinator and a contract position for a “Partner Support Representative” remain live on Uber’s internet hub, in apparent contrast to last week’s claim by the company’s public policy director Brad Kitschke that “we will not be launching in SA under the current regulations as they stand”.

Uber currently operates “Uber Black” services in SA, which use accredited hire car drivers and vehicles, but it wants to also launch its UberX ride-sharing service, which use drivers’ vehicles.

Uber’s national general manager, David Rohrsheim, was far more equivocal about the company’s future in the state when asked about the job advertisements today, arguing “ride-sharing won’t reach its potential” in SA under current strictures – but falling short of threatening to boycott the state.

Indeed, the company’s site states: “We are seeking a sharp, personable, highly organised Operations Coordinator to support the Adelaide City Team as we continue to grow our presence.”

It explains Operations & Logistics managers own the entire “supply” side of their city’s marketplace, optimising “the quantity and quality of cars available to our users and continually improving the rider experience via scheduling, asset utilisation, and driver incentive programs”.

The company also enthuses that it is “looking to build a team of rock stars for our support centre in Adelaide”.

“We need people with strong communication and problem-solving skills, who don’t shy away from in-person interactions,” says the job ad.

A screen capture of the advertisements on Uber’s website.

Uber has certainly not shied away from interactions with the Government, with a meeting between the company and Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan descending into acrimony last week.

The international ride-sharing operation argues Government-imposed start-up fees would be more than $800 – considerably higher than in the ACT and NSW, where ride-sharing has also been legalised – and bemoans that the process of police and medical checks, CTP changes, and accreditation processing would take a minimum of six weeks, and possibly up to four months.

But the Weatherill Government has disputed the claims, insisting the start-up fees in SA are only about $100 dearer than in Canberra.

Rohrsheim, who grew up in South Australia, told InDaily: “I am very passionate about what ridesharing could do for SA.”

“I first met with the Government and hosted a demonstration of our UberX technology in Parliament House way back in 2014,” he said.

“We remain optimistic about improving transport for Adelaide, but if the government persists with their proposed $600 – or more – in new fees for jobseekers on July 1, then ridesharing simply won’t reach its potential – with Uber’s technology or anybody else’s.”

Rohrsheim argued “over 20,000 Australians made money this month using UberX”.

“That’s the opportunity for SA,” he said.

“I can’t understand why a state with such high unemployment would be putting up barriers to those who want to make some extra money.”

SA has long had an established Uber office, but Rohrsheim says Adelaide staff were redeployed for much of last year to help oversee the launch of the Canberra service, “when the Chief Minister beat all other states to some sensible ride-sharing regulations”.

Mullighan told InDaily in a statement that the Government is “continuing to work with potential new operators wishing to establish a presence in Adelaide”.

“We believe our reforms have struck the right balance between opening up the industry and ensuring we have appropriate safety and standards in place to protect South Australian consumers,” he said.

While the remuneration for the advertised Uber positions is not stated, it does list perks such as “free Uber rides, a ground floor opportunity with the team [to] shape the strategic direction of the company, the rare opportunity to change the world such that everyone around you is using the product you built – and monthly gym reimbursement”.