Australian parties push wider AI use as workplace protections lag

Australian Labor and Coalition politicians are moving towards a shared push for greater AI adoption, despite declining public confidence and concerns about its effects. The authors argue that government should respond to practical harms already affecting workers, rather than focus on promoting AI’s benefits.

They cite workplace surveillance that tracks workers through devices and software, productivity targets that may increase injury risks, intrusive monitoring of remote staff, and rideshare drivers penalised for factors beyond their control. The article says current workplace laws do not adequately protect employees or give employers clear rules, and calls for changes to the Fair Work Act to address unreasonable surveillance.