We need to share tech to make life better - Courier Mail

Technology behind digital drivers licences or real-time petrol price apps could be fast tracked if state governments put politics aside to share tech and data, opposition digital economy spokesman Paul Fletcher will say.

Speaking at the National Tech Summit in Brisbane today, Mr Fletcher will say the federal Government could drive tech innovation that cuts red tape and makes life easier by fostering collaboration between the states

While Queensland is only now trialling digital drivers licences, NSW has had a scheme in place since 2019. NSW also has a fuel price app and introduced laws requiring all NSW service stations to provide real time petrol price information to the app, enabling drivers to find the cheapest fuel. Mr Fletcher said states had shared tech during the pandemic, such as Queensland’s check-in app, and could do so again

“We are seeing a two-speed economy when it comes to digital advancement across the country. If a game changing idea is identified in one state, the Government should join forces with other states to see that same vision realised elsewhere,” Mr Fletcher said. “If we are serious about making life easier for citizens and industry through the use of technology, then we need to eliminate silos and parochial politics and get on with the job of delivering sensible policies.”

Mr Fletcher said technology could save people time and money, so political allegiance should not stand in the way of that.