Tasmania’s online access centres may have to decrease services as a result of funding levels that have not kept pace with inflation, wages and cost of living.

This seems at odds with one of the key recommendations of the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council that reported the Covid-19 pandemic widened the digital divide, and “existing facilities” (such as online access centres) that provide digital capability to our communities ought to be expanded.

The Deloraine, Mole Creek and other 16 Access centres around Tasmania provide essential services in regional and rural areas.

They support access to health and financial services and personalised mobile phone support as well as access to online and information services, printing/scanning services and training.

They are funded through the Libraries Tasmania Digital Connections Grant Program.

The online access centres last came under threat in 2019, when a plan emerged to subsume them into Libraries Tasmania.

Although that plan was shelved, real funding has been eroded slowly.

 Three years ago the Deloraine and Mole Creek centres’ funding was reduced, with a 50% decrease in staffing.

This year the St Helens Online Access Centre funding will likely decrease the manager’s hours by 30% in the face of increasing usage.

Despite the Government’s commitment and the desperate need to address the digital divide in Tasmania, real funding of the access centres has not increased over the last six years.

COVID-19 has accelerated the transition to online services.

Everyone needs digital skills for everyday life–know how to find and access online information, download complete and manipulate forms, use the mobile phone and apps, and ultimately the ability to pay for data.

Without access and skills to use the internet that are supported by online access centres, people will not be able to use other Government initiatives like the Digital Ready for Daily Life program or access vital information and services.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said there were no plans to alter the amount of funding provided to the centres at present.

“The government is fully committed to increasing digital inclusion in Tasmania, providing and supporting a range of services, including online access centres, Services Tasmania, Libraries Tasmania, and Digital Ready for Business and Digital Ready for Daily Life.”

Cynics might see the government’s position as a starvation strategy to force local councils, communities and volunteers to pick up the slack in providing these essential services.