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SACOSS: Labor’s plan on digital a winner

The South Australian Council of Social Service applauds today’s announcement by Premier Jay Weatherill that a re-elected Labor Government would take steps to bridge the digital divide in South Australia. It is good news for those people struggling with internet access and costs, and vital for ensuring that everyone can participate in the digital economy and society.

South Australia has lagged behind Australia with the second lowest score on the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, and with some 17% of households not accessing the internet (above the national average of 15%).

The SACOSS Cost of Living Report released last week showed that South Australians spend less than the national average on telecommunications and get less value for money – meaning that South Australians are under-utilising telecommunications. Those on low incomes and those looking for work, people with disability, and those in regional areas are particularly disadvantaged in a digital world.

SACOSS Senior Policy Officer, Dr Greg Ogle said, “SACOSS has long recognised the importance of digital access, competency and affordability for study, employment, interacting with government, and generally participating in a modern society, but it has been clear that not everyone has been able to participate and as technology advances the digital divide gets deeper."

“With free wi-fi on public transport announced last year and recent announcements around assisting schools with digital technology, there have been a few good initiatives but what has been missing to date is a systematic approach to addressing digital exclusion.

“We congratulate the government on today’s significant announcements. Creating a new Department of Digital Innovation and the promise to create a Digital Inclusion Plan is clear evidence that they are serious about bridging the digital divide. There is still a lot of work to be done under any plan, but today’s announcement will provide a platform for doing this work to ensure that no-one is left behind in the digital future.

“The idea of a roundtable of the community sector, government and internet providers announced today was first floated in SACOSS’ budget submission last year, and the promise to increase free public wi-fi addresses a major policy proposal from SACOSS to assist with internet access and affordability.

“The announcement of the expansion of the State Government’s fibre network in Adelaide is welcome, but we also need to pay attention to regional areas where 22% of households are not accessing the internet at home at all, including access via mobile phones.

“SACOSS is now calling on all other parties to match these digital inclusion initiatives and to announce their own suite of policies to ensure better internet and telecommunications access for all members of our South Australian community.”

For more information, or to arrange an interview with Dr Greg Ogle, please contact:

Tania Baxter, SACOSS Communications Officer, on 0432 902 105
 

Published Date: 
Tuesday, 20 February 2018