Despite Tasmania’s competitive advantage with the National Broadband Network, a new report measuring digital access has placed Tasmania last on the list.
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The Swinburne University report measured the nation’s internet access, affordability and digital ability, and found Tasmania ranked the lowest nationally in all three areas.
Digital ability ranked 39 against 46 nationally, while affordability ranked 44.1 against 51.2 nationally, contributing to a ‘digital divide’.
Hobart was the most digitally included sub-region, with a score of 49.9, while regional Tasmania averaged a score of 46.9.
The report highlighted Tasmania’s lower incomes, education and employment levels as a reasoning for reduced digital inclusion.
Digital inclusion is defined as being able to use digital technologies to manage health and wellbeing, education and services, financial organisation and connecting with family and friends.
Young people on low incomes living with their parents were found to be an exception to the digital divide, as they enjoyed greater connectivity.
Tasmania was the only state or territory with declining results, with an overall digital inclusion score of 48.2, compared to 50 in 2015.
The findings are based off ongoing face-to-face surveys of up 50,000 Australians.
TasICT chief executive William Kestin said the research showed industry, government and education needed to continue to work together to improve digital literacy.
Opposition ICT spokeswoman Madeleine Ogilvie said the Labor Party would be prepared to close the digital divide.
“To do this we will need to be looking at regional development funds and tax settings that help not only keep jobs onshore, but assist regional areas to create areas of specialisation,” she said.
Information Technology and Innovation Minister Michael Ferguson said the report identified socio-economic factors which were long-standing issues in Tasmania.
“We want to take our poor position in this report much higher, to where our state should be,” he said.
He said programs such as IT@Work were just some of the measures to address digital literacy, while the Innovation Hubs would foster the start-up community and the Digital Ready program aided small businesses.
