Tasmania performing best in environmental quality, but underperforms in digital technology and higher education - new research

Tasmania is reportedly performing best in the country for addressing Indigenous disparity in terms of out of home care, abuse substantiations and student attendance rate, according to the Centre for Social Impact’s (CSI) Australian Social Progress Index (ASPI), as discussed in a webinar today.

The webinar also discussed how Tasmania is faring in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using the ASPI tool as a proxy measure.

Key findings:

  • Compared to its economic peers (based on GSP per Capita - SA, VIC, QLD, NSW), Tasmania is largely performing within expected ranges for overall social progress. It is performing better than expected on environmental quality, personal rights, and personal freedom and choice, and worse than expected on access to information and communication, health and wellness, and access to higher education
  • The Tasmanian Government’s investment in policy responses that support Health and Wellness and Access to Higher Education during COVID-19 may help to address these vulnerabilities. A lack of policy response that supports Access to Information and Communication may further disadvantage Tasmania as it recovers from COVID-19
  • Based on that state’s SPI scores, TAS is making good progress towards achieving many of the SDGs, particularly those that include environmental quality, personal rights, and personal freedom and choice indicators. It needs to prioritise goals that are focused on access to advanced education, access to information and communication, and inclusiveness

ASPI researchers and webinar presenters:

  • Dr Megan Weier: Research Fellow & ASPI Lead Researcher, Centre for Social Impact UNSW
  • Isabella Saunders: Research Assistant, Centre for Social Impact UNSW