The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education, and Training tabled its The Future of Work report today following its inquiry into the digital transformation of workplaces.
Committee Chair, Ms Lisa Chesters MP, said, ‘The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision making (ADM) is significantly shaping workplaces across sectors, impacting employers, staff, regulators and the community.’
‘While AI and ADM can create opportunities for workplaces such as increased productivity and efficiency, and job creation and augmentation, these benefits need to be shared between employers and workers,’ Ms Chesters said.
The Committee’s inquiry found that the digital transformation has exposed significant challenges. This includes gaps in Australia’s regulatory frameworks and workplace protections, and a very concerning and excessive use of technology-enabled surveillance and data-collection by employers. The report emphasises the need for Australia to adopt measures for the safe and responsible development and deployment of these technologies across workplaces.
The Committee’s twenty-one recommendations focus on:
- maximising the benefits of AI and ADM in the workplace
- clarifying obligations of technology developers and employers
- enhancing consultation, and privacy and data protections for workers
- improving public trust in these technologies
- strengthening Australia’s workforce and capabilities.
Ms Chesters said, ‘To help future-proof Australia and its place in an increasingly competitive and digital world, it is essential to have the right frameworks and support in place.’ Australia needs a robust approach, capturing all Australian workplaces and workers. Updates to the Fair Work Act and Privacy Law Act are necessary steps, as well as broader AI reform.
The full report of the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s inquiry webpage.
Media inquiries
Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair
Kate Sutherland, Office and Parliamentary Program Manager
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(03) 5443 9055
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Committee Secretariat
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For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.