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State to benefit as Bartlett quits: Digi Tas

The resignation of David Bartlett as the Tasmanian premier may be a blessing in disguise, according to consumer action group Digital Tasmania.
Written by Luke Hopewell, Contributor

The resignation of David Bartlett as the Tasmanian premier may be a blessing in disguise, according to consumer action group Digital Tasmania.

Bartlett's resignation as premier may give him the opportunity to be more active on the technology front, providing more information about smart grids and the National Broadband Network (NBN) to Tasmanians through his position as Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) minister, Digital Tasmania spokesperson Andrew Connor told ZDNet Australia today.

"We hope that more information can be made available to the public on what [the NBN] means for them and when they're likely to get it in their area," Connor said.

"If he continues in the role as IST minister, we hope he can devote more time to IT and give more information to Tasmanians, instead of [just] broad brush strokes," he added.

Digital Tasmania praised Bartlett's commitment to technology for Tasmanians during his time as premier, adding that it hopes now Premier-elect Lara Giddings continues that momentum.

"We're happy that the NBN came to Tasmania first and that he's been pushing it so hard, and we hope that will continue despite him leaving," Connor said.

"We hope [Giddings] continues along the same path that the state government has been going with and the NBN is definitely a key part of that that's going to lift the ability of Tasmanians to get on that even playing field."

Bartlett announced his resignation via Facebook for iPhone yesterday, telling his followers that he wanted to spend his time being a better father.

To all my Facebook friends and contributors. I have decided to step down as premier and leader of the Labor Party. Working seven days a week and wanting to be a better father for Hudson and Matilda has become incompatible as the children are growing up. Lara Giddings will be an outstanding premier and will have my full support. Regards David.

Connor said that Bartlett's social media resignation shows that he is still in touch with the current generation of voters.

"He made a lot of Facebook and Twitter [connections] during the election and perhaps it is fitting that he does bow out that way, or at least update them on his status. It's definitely another first," Connor said.

In a press conference held in his backyard yesterday, Bartlett said his original intention would have been to move to the backbench, leaving the IST ministry open; however, he had decided to stay in cabinet until the 2014 election after being asked to do so by Giddings.

Giddings is set to become Tasmania's first female premier later today.

(Front page image credit: Tasmanian Government)

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