Tasmania’s tech sector has called for all parties and candidates to make the next Parliament work constructively or risk missing significant tech investment and job opportunities.
TasICT, the peak body representing Tasmania’s Information, Communication and Technology sector, said Tasmania’s Parliamentarians must work across the political divide and put the interests of Tasmanians first to make the Parliament work.
CEO Russell Kelly said it was again looking like no single political party would hold the majority after the poll – and a collaborative approach was required to develop a digital transformation roadmap, ensuring continuity in planning and investment.
“TasICT urges all elected representatives to work together to support a long-term vision for digital infrastructure and economic transformation.
“It is too disruptive to have short-term Parliaments that are distracted from making the significant policy and economic decisions that the State requires.
“Failure to collaborate across the aisle will risk further delays to essential reforms and digital investment – something Tasmania cannot afford. There should be no second election after the July poll.”
Mr Kelly repeated the tech sector’s call for all political parties and candidates to develop election policies to transform Tasmania’s economic base into a smart economy and save money by embracing Artificial Intelligence.
“Tasmania can do more to create the vibrant, diverse digital economy we are seeing prosper in other states, and we are now paying the price of limited economic opportunities.
“The next Tasmanian government must urgently invest in innovation to unlock savings and provide cheaper and faster ways of providing government services.
“That includes investing in digital literacy education so that Tasmanians can use new technology with confidence.
“The next State Government should create a Minister for AI and the Digital Economy with a dedicated funding portfolio to drive innovation including leveraging Federal Government sources and private funding to grow the tech industry and jobs in Tasmania.”
TasICT has outlined areas that need policy action in industry and workforce development:
Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy – the need for an integrated cross-sectoral Digital Economy policy with dedicated ministerial oversight and budget allocation that delivers tech innovation.
Innovation Support for Business – introduction and expansion of programs that provide start-up, scale-up, research and development support for businesses, especially in the use and integration of AI, as well as support for building capacity and capability in ICT for Tasmanian businesses.
Connectivity – prioritising investment in communications infrastructure, including sub-sea data cables, recognising the digital economy is dependent on excellent data connectivity.
Workforce Development – encouraging employment growth and employee diversity in the ICT sector through mentoring and networking programs as well as encouraging regional migration of ICT professionals and incentivising businesses to offer workplace placements for graduates and entry-level ICT employees.
STEM Campus – supporting the proposed STEM campus at the University of Tasmania and encourage tech industries to begin lifting capability to support the precinct.
