Today’s Budget delivers on the Liberal Government’s promise of nearly $2 million in strategic initiatives to grow our Information Technology industry.
Through the Liberal Government’s Growing our Information and Communication Technology Industry initiative we are investing in a range of programs to grow the sector and enable business to engage in the digital economy.
Our investments in ICT are more than just promises – they are part of a larger plan to drive the economy and create jobs.
We are providing $800,000 over the next four years for the Digital Ready for Retail program that will help Tasmanian retail businesses become digital-savvy, further stimulating growth in the retail sector.
We are investing $500,000 over the next four years to provide free public Wi-Fi services targeted at tourists in towns and cities across the state to make Tasmania a more attractive place to visit.
$500,000 will flow over the next two years for our Go-to-Market Incubator policy, which provides for mentoring, education and training for potential start-ups to turn ideas into commercial market opportunities.
$175,000 has been committed to implement a Workforce Development Plan, which will identify ICT demand into the future and the skill sets required.
As we set Tasmania on the path to growing the ICT sector, it is critical there is clear communication between the Liberal Government and industry. That’s why we’re providing $50,000 to create a single point of contact in the Department of State Growth to work with industry on growing the economic potential of the ICT sector in Tasmania.
The decisions we have taken in our ICT sector are about strategic investment to grow the industry.
Unfortunately the mess left by Labor and the Greens have prevented us from funding projects such as the APX-C cable proposal by SubPartners at this time.
Although there is no funding allocation in this year’s budget for the APX-C cable proposal by SubPartners, we remain in in discussions with the company and will continue to work with them to help facilitate this important project for Tasmania.
The Liberal Government is creating a connected and empowered Tasmanian economy and through strategic funding in the IT sector we will grow this vital industry to drive economic growth and create jobs.
