Overview
- The federal government published a draft voluntary best-practice guide for using AI at work that stresses direct consultation with staff, careful implementation and investment in training.
- The guide was shaped by months of roundtable talks with unions, employer groups and major firms including Microsoft, Commonwealth Bank, Kmart and Telstra.
- Qantas’ decision to outsource 850 domestic roles to Accenture has intensified criticism and prompted the Australian Services Union and the employment minister to question whether voluntary guidance is enough.
- The government says it will move beyond voluntary advice by developing mandatory standards and creating a regulator with penalty powers for non-compliant tech companies.
- Senator David Pocock and unions are pushing for stronger, enforceable protections such as mandatory reporting and copyright safeguards, a debate that will shape any final rules and affect workers facing role changes.