THE electoral district of MacKillop is below the state average for online connectivity, with almost a quarter of households reporting not having internet access at home.
The latest Census results revealed 22.1pc of households within MacKillop are not connecting to the internet, compared to 17pc of South Australians and 14pc nationally.
South Australia Council of Social Services chief executive Ross Womersley said online connectivity was important in regional areas to provide residents vital access to markets and services not locally available.
“Having an internet connection at home is important because it enables households to engage with government and businesses which are increasingly online, and to keep in touch with friends, community and culture,” he said.
“Connectivity is not just about access to internet or the NBN, it is also crucially about affordability of access and the level of competence and comfort in using online platforms.
“If you live 50km from the nearest town then even connecting with friends on social media takes on a more important dimension.
“Yet 10 of the 12 country electorates rate below the state average in accessing the internet.
“Digital disadvantage reflects other forms of disadvantage, but it also makes getting jobs and support increasingly difficult, so it compounds existing disadvantage.”
Mr Womersley called for a government strategy to address digital disadvantage.
