Tasmanians should be able to do a lot more government activities online, according to the state's peak IT body.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TasICT president Martin Anderson said it was time for the government to invest in a system that would allow citizens to establish their identity online.
"Two other states have ways citizens prove who they are online, and that unlocks other things like having a digital driver licence, and other licences and registrations like fishing and boat licences," he said.
Mr Anderson said the system would allow people to renew their licences online, and meant they would not have to go to Service Tasmania offices to establish their proof of identity.
"It's an issue whose time has come. It's been put in the too hard basket - there's an idea that Tasmanians, being a bit older and less tech savvy, are not ready to go online," he said.
"There are plenty of examples where the Tasmanian people have taken to digi services like ducks to water."
He said even if the mobile phone service was slow or down, the licence would still be available on the phone.
"Tasmania is a spread out community and delivery of services online would mean citizens could more conveniently and renew licences," he said.
"Shift workers and others would likely be better served by having those services on online.
"And interacting with the government would be simpler, easier and with a degree of efficiency."
He said there was an argument for keeping over the counter services for vulnerable Tasmanians.
"If you move the bulk of easy transactions online, then there's more time and space for vulnerable people."
He said cyber security was a real challenge for all organisations, including the government.
"You do need a really sophisticated approach. I know it is a Tasmanian government priority; they hold a lot of information on citizens already," he said.
"They are moving data out of government data centres to more secure locations."
He said the government had not invested enough in the systems over time, and the state was 'slipping behind'. The government was contacted for comment.