Embracing change and the sharing economy

We are a Government that is open to new ideas and new opportunities, including the sharing economy.

Millions of consumers world-wide are using new IT platforms to access a vast and seemingly limitless range of new services in the sharing economy.

The choice for Government is; do you get with the program or try to stop progress?

My Government’s choice is to embrace the change, to manage the challenges it presents, but seize the opportunities too.

We are prepared to lead the nation when it comes to embracing the sharing economy and the choice it offers.

The sharing economy offers greater competition, more choice, efficiency and lower transaction costs for consumers.

It is the Government’s role to provide a regulatory framework that is fair and that provides necessary protections. But it is not the Government’s role to try to ban progress.

Tomorrow, I will outline the principles that will guide the Tasmanian Government’s policy approach to the sharing economy at the annual State of the State address to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia.

We are already developing a package of legislation to introduce next year in relation to transport services within the sharing economy. We will of course consult widely with all stakeholders, including existing operators.
Will Hodgman, Premier