The next Federal Government should green light the construction of Marinus Link and contribute funding to the proposed University of Tasmania STEM campus, Tasmania’s tech sector says.
Releasing its Federal election priorities, TasICT said Tasmania’s future prosperity depended on investment in communications infrastructure and boosting technology careers.
“Tasmania has an opportunity to excel if we value innovation and technology as the drivers of the digital economy and job creation,” TasICT General Manager Russell Kelly said.
“Tasmania needs to get onboard the tech train and create the high-paying jobs that will keep our young Tasmanians here and attract businesses to set up in the State.”
TasICT called on all political parties to prioritise policies to grow the digital economy, promote technology business growth and encourage young Tasmanians into STEM careers.
TasICT urged the next Federal Government to back Marinus Link provided it is environmentally and economically sustainable – as one of five key priorities for Tasmania’s economic prosperity. (attached)
Marinus Link will complement the three existing telecommunications sub-sea cables joining Tasmania to the mainland with additional redundancy and data capacity.
“From a technology viewpoint, a sustainable Marinus Link with its high-capacity data cables makes sense – there is no other technology option on the horizon.
“It can unlock Tasmania’s potential as a smart state and not only help grow the tech sector in Tasmania but underpin the growth and development of all industry sectors.”
An independent report from Ernst and Young, commissioned by Marinus Link, estimates the project will deliver 3,300 direct and indirect jobs and about $3.9 billion in direct economic investment in Tasmania and Victoria. Investment in data centres in Tasmania is estimated to deliver an additional 1,899 jobs.
Mr Kelly said support for the proposed $500 million University of Tasmania STEM campus at Sandy Bay was also of strategic importance.
“The UTAS STEM campus can become a next generation collaboration hub where industry, researchers and students develop Tassie tech solutions for some of the world’s most pressing problems – creating business opportunities and jobs as they do so.
“This Federal election can promote Tasmania as a smart state – growing and expanding Tasmania’s digital economy and creating the jobs that come with it.”