The Liberal Government is closing the doors on more Online Access Centres across Tasmania by stealth under the cover of Christmas Eve.
Labor Member for Franklin Lara Giddings said staff and volunteers at the Rokeby and Clarendon Vale Online Access Centres have been given very little notice about the significant changes to their service.
“Both Centres are being told the doors will be shut on the 24th of December, but staff are not allowed to tell anybody” Ms Giddings said.
“A smaller outreach service will be available in the Rokeby Community Centre and Clarendon Vale Child and Family Centre.
“This is simply not good enough for a service which is growing in demand in both communities and requires the larger spaces they currently occupy.
“Both are also located on school property and are used by those schools for additional classes and support.
“Right across the state, Online Access Centres are being downgraded and asked to find new homes in existing community organisations.
“They’re being forced to give up valuable space and move away from where the community has grown accustomed to them being.
“In many areas, demand for Online Access Centres is growing as people seek assistance for online tasks such as dealing with Centrelink or undertaking TAFE courses and the like.
“Now is not the time for the Liberal Government to make life harder for those people trying to improve their computer literacy skills.
“This is a short-sighted decision, made by stealth and without proper consultation.”
A Labor petition calling on the Government to protect online Access Centres attracted more than 450 signatures in just a few weeks.
The Liberals have grossly underestimated the importance of these centres to their local communities.
Lara Giddings MP Labor Member for Franklin
