'He was a rock for the party': Vale former Liberal MLA Greg Cornwell
"I have to say that too often in this place I have seen an abdication by us as elected representatives of our duty to the rich as well as the poor and our duty to the majority as well as the minority, the distortion of straightforward Australian values for the elitist and social divisiveness of multiculturalism, and a failure to accept all Australians as just that, Australians, irrespective of colour, creed, sex or race. Instead, I see special concessions being granted to people whom I think are personally diminished by such patronising and charitable behaviour," he said at the time.
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West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Minister Tim Ayres says job fears shouldn't hold Australia back on Artificial Intelligence, productivity
Australia must embrace the opportunities of artificial intelligence in the job market or risk falling behind in the global race to adopt digital technology, says new Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres. In an exclusive interview with The Nightly, Senator Ayres said that eschewing the advantages of cutting-edge AI in the workplace over job fears would be more detrimental to the employment market overall, urging the country to adapt with the times to boost productivity. Investing in technology was 'not a zero-sum game' for the labour market, he said, calling for a 'big national conversation' between institutions, trade unions, business groups and the research and development sector to set objectives in the country's best interests. In wide-ranging comments, he spruiked his ambition to make Australia a top-shelf destination for data centres and to invest in infrastructure that would shape the nation's digital future rather than leave it 'at the end of someone else's technological supply chain.' He also hinted at a lighter touch approach to regulating rapidly advancing technology while stressing the urgency of finding the right safeguards. Senator Ayres had just moved into his new ministerial office in Parliament House when The Nightly spoke with him, but Toby Walsh's The Shortest History of AI was already one of two books sitting prominently on his desk. It offers a glimpse into the daunting challenges he faces to maximise the benefits of artificial intelligence while protecting the country from its risks. This includes concerns about how to weigh up technological progress with the impact of AI on jobs in manufacturing and other sectors. Senator Ayres, who had a long career as a senior official in the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union before entering parliament, acknowledged the hurdles but underscored the potential for more job creation. 'The only thing that would be more disruptive in terms of employment and job opportunities is stepping back, having economies that pass us by,' he said. 'I'm absolutely seized of the importance of investment and economic growth and good jobs and productivity in terms of leaning into the challenge. 'That's not without risks, and we need to work together in an Australian formulation, working collectively across the economy to make sure we get the best outcome for the country.' Every wave of technological change involved reshaping the labour market, Senator Ayres argued. 'My experience in manufacturing, as automation stepped up, as adoption of digital technology stepped up, is that involved jobs changing, some jobs going and investment in new jobs and capability,' he said. Senator Ayres said he was seeking a 'pragmatic' path between 'artificial intelligence boosters' promoting a utopian approach and 'artificial intelligence doomsayers.' The Minister said he was determined to put the tech sector and investment in new industrial capabilities at the centre of the debate as the Government prepares to host a productivity roundtable on August 19 to 21. The meeting in the Cabinet room will draw together senior politicians with business, union and civil society representatives to find common ground on long-term economic reform. Australia's challenges in tackling sluggish productivity growth were not unique among Western nations, argued Senator Ayres. 'Australia can't afford to step backwards in technological terms, because that will be one of the key drivers of productivity growth over the coming decade,' he said. But beyond the roundtable and ongoing productivity debate, the Senator must also help set the direction for major Government decisions on a national strategy for safety standards for AI and the digital economy, whether through regulation or voluntary codes. Treasurer Jim Chalmers set the tone of the approach earlier this month at a speech at the National Press Club outlining his ministry's priorities for the new term. Dr Chalmers said he would work with Senator Ayres and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Dr Andrew Charlton to 'capitalise on the huge gains on offer, not just set guardrails'. 'We want to get the best out of new technology and investment in data infrastructure in ways that leverage our strengths, work for our people and best manage impacts on our energy system and natural environment,' Dr Chalmers said. Landing on a risk-based model for regulating AI is unfinished business from Labor's first term, and an issue where the Government is coming under increasing pressure to act and to more clearly define its policy. Senator Ayres' predecessor Ed Husic last term launched a 'mandatory guardrails' consultation to moot an Australian AI Act that would impose minimum standards on high-risk AI models across the economy. Mr Husic backs the proposal of an AI Act to provide certainty about how to mitigate the risks in what he describes as the current 'Swiss cheese landscape' of regulation. But Senator Ayres indicated he was going to take a cautious path, and said he was not yet ready to commit to major policy decisions without further consultation. 'I'm going to work carefully through that set of issues and talk to colleagues before I reach a final view about the right approach on the regulatory front and the legislative front,' he said. As a new Minister, he wanted to evaluate work already underway 'before I shoot my mouth off about where we land on these precise sort of regulatory architecture questions,' he said. He insisted would reach the 'right outcome in short order' to give guidance to industry and the public. 'My instinctive response is leaning into the opportunity. That's the overall setting here, and that's my starting point,' he said. Senator Ayres stressed that no country on Earth believed there should be a completely unregulated approach to artificial intelligence development or adoption and signalled he was assessing the models and approaches of partner economies. But less than two months into the job, the Minister already faces rising calls from industry bodies, experts and civil society groups to better define policies to allow AI to boost innovation, living standards and productivity and also to mitigate the risks. A landmark report by the Business Council of Australia (BCA) released in early June outlined a blueprint to make the nation a global leader in AI by 2028, and called among multiple recommendations for 'clear, practical and risk-based AI regulations that encourage innovation'. The BCA report warned that without immediate action, Australia risked falling behind competitor nations racing ahead in AI capability and adoption. Senator Ayres said he was acting on the 'urgency' of the issues. 'I don't want to set a timeframe but I am absolutely seized of the urgency of it, absolutely engaged with the tech sector and the investment community where there is a very consistent message about the sense of urgency about these questions,' he said. 'I'm absolutely seized as well of aligning this line of effort with the other lines of effort that the Government has on the productivity and investment side.'
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ley's party numbers do not inspire confidence
We'll see how Sussan Ley goes over time trying to fix the paucity of women serving in, or even voting for, her party (' Are we ready for another female PM? ' , June 27). But I can't help remembering she won the Liberal leadership by just four votes, one of which (it turns out) shouldn't have been there, two more won't be there after June 30 and the fourth was (presumably) her own. Maybe she's since won over quite a few who voted for Angus Taylor. I hope so. But she's got a big job keeping whatever parliamentary backing she now has while lifting overall voter support far above its current pathetic level. If our democracy is to avoid the tarnish that afflicts the systems operating in places such as the US and Israel, a solid alternative is a must to give voters a viable option. And if she can achieve that at least, she will have done well. Adrian Connelly, Springwood The question should be: Is the Liberal Party ready to give female Opposition Leader Sussan Ley the chance to lead the party into the election? Voters are always ready, if you go by history. Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka) was the world's first female prime minister in 1960, after her husband was assassinated; Indira Gandhi in India in 1966; then Golda Meir in Israel in 1969 and so on. Ley is also vague when asked about the quota for female representation: yes, but she says all Liberal states have their own democratic way of electing candidates. It is a code word for saying that she doesn't want to take on the Liberal 'heavyweights'. It'd be interesting to see if Liberals are ready to change. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill One thing Sussan Ley can be certain of is that, from the current government, she will never have to face the disgusting and obscene treatment Julia Gillard was subjected to by the Abbott government and certain members of the media. Johanna White, Woonona Quotas? Our first female PM's take on being the first female PM: 'It doesn't explain everything. It doesn't explain nothing. It explains something.' It might be easier for the next female Labor PM, but until the misogyny and the old men are retired from the Liberal Party, quotas might be its only hope. Geoff Nilon, Mascot Australians don't care whether their prime minister is a male or a female. They just want a conviction politician. Someone who sticks to their principles rather chasing popularity. Riley Brown, Bondi Beach Are we ready? Yes, but not Sussan Ley. Peter Miniutti, Ashbury Where is Angus, your correspondent asks? (Letters, June 27). In the backroom counting numbers. Margaret Jones, Bathurst Thatcher? No, thanks Your correspondent (Letters, June 27) says, admiringly, Sussan Ley 'appears to be our Thatcher down under'. It was Margaret Thatcher, remember, who said, 'There is no such thing as society', in one of the most blatant victim-blaming comments ever made (read her whole patronising statement about over-dependence on government support for the needy). Do we really want Sussan Ley to follow the ultra-conservative Thatcher example? I thought we rejected any thought of that at the recent election? Eric Hunter, Cook (ACT) Abandoned in Syria Now that some sort of peace is happening and missiles are not flying overhead, perhaps Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke can do something about the Australian women and children in camps in Syria? Their 'guilt' is irrelevant and, as we have seen by those returned already, no harm is done by this action. Naturally, the opposition will be loud and obnoxious but it can be ignored. Just do the right thing, minister. Tony Sullivan, Adamstown Heights Spirit of Ukraine Thank you, Rob Harris, for such a powerful and heartfelt piece of reporting from Kyiv (' The extraordinary city that continues to defy Putin ', June 27) on the extraordinary spirit of the Ukrainian people. You have shared their history and experiences and their resilience. This reader is grateful for your insight, your courage and your focus on what really matters in a painfully broken world. Deb McPherson, Gerringong Rob Harris says that while the Russia-Ukraine war may appear to be just over land, critically it is also about 'identity, memory and truth', and this accounts for why the Ukrainian people will not give in. Harris, in stressing that land, culture and memories intertwine to form the essence of a people, has nailed why many wars are drawn out, even unwinnable by the aggressor in the long term. Past wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan come to mind. To choose war over diplomacy is irrational short-sightedness. To choose an unwinnable war is even more so. Paul Casey, Callala Bay In defence of truth What Julian Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton learned in the fight for Julian's freedom (' My brother, the truth and the rising ', June 27) has led him to now establish The Information Rights Project to try to protect journalists and others being attacked for telling the truth. That has grown massively with the arrival of Trumpism, the deaths of 185 journalists in Gaza and Donald Trump's attacks on journalists in the US. We, shamefully, don't protect our whistleblowers, some of whom are now in jail. Shipton has taken on a big task. He says that if truth loses, democracy loses, and we can't rely on governments alone to fight this fight. Gary Barnes, Mosman Failing federalism When the federal government introduced the fecal occult blood screening program in 2006, the surge in need for colonoscopy was quantifiable. For those with a positive test who could not afford the out-of-pocket costs for an immediate private colonoscopy, the burden fell on the state-run, already underfunded public hospitals, the need greatest in the poorest areas. Some hospital managers were more able to support their clinicians than others but the problem persists beyond western Sydney ('Hospital boss departs after diagnosis delays revealed,' June 27). The commonwealth funded the screening test and it part funded private colonoscopies but it washed its hands of those unable to pay. It is yet another example of inequity of access to essential care due to the split jurisdiction in health between state and commonwealth. It is federalism at its worst. Maybe dividing authority over health services made sense in 1901; it is certainly no longer fit for purpose. In 2009, the Rudd-appointed National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission laid down a transitional process to a single funder, starting with the commonwealth taking over all hospital out-patient costs, which would have included gap-free consultation and colonoscopy by a gastroenterologist. Unconscionable colonoscopy delay is a symptom of a sick system and a lack of political will to treat it. Graeme Stewart, Avalon Beach Platitudes rather than action do nothing for the environment We could probably write now the ministerial statement (' Scathing report on dire state of nature ', June 27) to accompany the next State of the Environment report due in three years' time. More hand-wringing. More statements about how turning environmental decline around takes time. More platitudes. More ineffectual action. Wouldn't it be nice if our decision-makers stopped listening to lobbyists and started listening to the environment? We need our so-called leaders to explain why business as usual cannot be an option and enthuse us all on how good life could be for all species that inhabit this planet. Experience tells us, though, that this is extraordinarily unlikely. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls According to the State of the Environment report, there has been a devastating decline in NSW's ecosystems since 2021; a further 18 species of both plants and animals are now endangered, and land clearing continues unabated. The 2021 report coincided with a Herald editorial calling for a 'Big Australia', which declared there was 'nothing to fear' from high immigration. The editorial made no mention of climate change or the environment. Australia has added nearly 2 million people since 2021 and the world is on track to add 2 billion people by 2025, according to the UN. 'Immigration causes no net change in people flows' is the specious 'Big Australia' argument, showing either a catastrophic misunderstanding of a hugely complex problem, or more likely, a deliberate deception. Meanwhile, our pursuit of net zero is increasingly absurd. To stop climate change, net zero must be achieved across the world. Instead, Australia is busy flogging fossil fuels, trashing the net zero aspirations of other countries while pretending our achieving net zero occurs in a vacuum, just like our immigration intake. Net zero has become a Labor Party front for business as usual, ie: never-ending growth. It is sending our pollution offshore, driving up the world's population powered with fossil fuels, all while pretending to be cleanskins at home. Paul Davies, Crows Nest Save the Powerhouse It is too late for Powerhouse Parramatta, and it is probably also too late for this Labor government to revisit Powerhouse Ultimo (' ALP's $300m Powerhouse revamp hit at last minute ', June 27). Millions are still to be spent on the unnecessary so-called revitalisation. The Powerhouse Museum only needed some TLC, not the wipeout of its charter. Garry Horvai, Pennant Hills I wish the last-minute revamp of the Ultimo Powerhouse had been hit a lot harder. It appears that even more destruction of the award-winning Wran extension is planned. Experts, including the late Powerhouse architect, Lionel Glendenning, have proposed that repair and maintenance costs, retaining the existing structure and internal layout (included in the commendations of those bestowing the architectural award) can be carried out at a fraction of the $300m+ proposed expenditure. How about re-allocating this money to schools infrastructure and hospitals? Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont Trains going backwards The Herald's nostalgic goodbye to our 'V-set' interurban trains (' Era closes as workhorse of train trips makes final Newcastle run ', June 27) forgets to reveal that the new Mariyung trains do not have reversible seats, enabling those passengers who choose to, to face the direction of travel. Backward-facing seats were so unpopular on other previously introduced trains in NSW that the seats were soon replaced with reversible seating. Nat Buckley, Drummoyne Utes are brutes I disagree with the suggestion from your correspondent (Letters, June 27) that the middle class is doing its best to keep the planet habitable for everyone. The number of dual-cab utes one sees daily, crawling along in Greater Sydney's traffic snarls, unburdened by any tools of trade, suggests that many in the middle class have scant regard for their impact on the environment. Glenn Johnson, Leura Cherry on top I say yes to the new road rules but not all drivers are beyond the pale (Letters, June 27). May I acknowledge the Cherrybrook drivers? I use a mobility scooter and our drivers are polite when they see me approaching a road crossing. Once I dropped a parcel and the adjacent car stopped, the driver came over and retrieved the parcel. You are a model for the nation. Just don't ask me about pedestrians on mobile phones. John Crowe, Cherrybrook Could the Minns government please provide NSW Police with sufficient highway patrol cars and personnel to help control tailgating by trucks? Regardless of whether you're travelling at the speed limit, some drivers of these monster machines seem to think it's acceptable to be only two or three metres behind you. On rural roads where the likelihood of having to brake for a kangaroo, wombat or some inanimate obstacle is high, the momentum of these machines means the car and driver become the roadkill. The aggressive cowboys who behave like this give the entire trucking industry a bad name. Peter Thompson, Grenfell I'd happily pay a road user charge instead of fuel tax because here in the Central West, my time is often spent on goat tracks rather than roads. I'd save a fortune. Rurik MacKenzie, Summer Hill Creek Bezos begone Low society (' Bezos' brazen behaviour part of the tech bro vibe ', June 27). Phil Rodwell, Redfern I don't believe I've seen a more disgusting show of wealth than the Bezos wedding in Venice. Imagine how that amount could help unfortunate people. Zuzu Burford, Heathcote Postscript This week started quietly on the letters page. Some gentle discussion about the approaching state budget, some well-meaning advice for federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers about tax reform, discussion about whether dog cafes are a sign of the decay of civilisation or the impending apocalypse (probably the decay) and, on a lighter note, a letter from a reader sick of humans who wants to transition to being an emu. Then, of course, Trump happened, as he so often does these days, bombing Iran and setting the world to sixes and sevens again. This did not endear POTUS to the majority of writers. Some writers, yes, thought the bombing could, possibly, be a good thing, mainly because the Iranian government is not one that the world wants to be equipped with nuclear weapons. Most writers, however, thought it was Trump throwing a tantie because his big, beautiful army parade had been ridiculed and hardly anyone had turned up anyway. So he now wanted revenge by bombing a country that wasn't going to bomb back. Then came Trump's ceasefire, which had most writers hopeful for peace. It didn't matter who thought of it or announced it – people not shooting at each other, or dropping bombs on each other, was decided to be a good thing, no matter if the action was internationally legal or not. However, Trump's mooted big, beautiful plan to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was resoundingly disparaged. Towards the end of the week, though, pausing only to reprimand the Netherlands' royal family for giving bed and breakfast to the Trumps, writers had moved on to giving advice to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Writers are over the Liberal Party harrumphing about the election and squabbling about quotas, and are dubious about internal enquiries (seen it all before). They are giving Ley the benefit of the doubt now because she's new, but they want to see some positive action soon. Sad news at the end of the week was the death, at 85 after a battle with Parkinson's disease, of long-time correspondent Joan Brown of Orange. She wrote over 500 letters and was last published on May 24.
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese stares down White House defence spending demands as pressure mounts at home
Anthony Albanese is staring down an emboldened White House, as the Trump Administration ratchets up pressure for Australia to increase its defence spending and threaten other nations who defy such demands. The Prime Minister, who is also facing domestic demands he bolster the Budget, has indicated a preparedness to increase Australia's defence spending beyond current targets but says he won't do so because of US demands. NATO partners this week agreed to lift their defence spending to five per cent of GDP, of which 3.5 per cent will be designated for capability, at the behest of US President Donald Trump. The exception was Spain, who opted out of the pact, and was subsequently threatened by the President with higher tariffs. Buoyed by his win in the North Atlantic, Mr Trump is now set to turn his attention to the Indo-Pacific. 'If our allies in Europe and our NATO allies can do it, I think our allies and our friends in the Asia Pacific region can do it as well,' Mr Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said overnight. The Trump Administration has made no secret of their desire for Australia to lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP to counter a rising China, including direct appeals to Defence Minister Richard Marles by his American counterpart. Further requests are expected when the four Quad foreign ministers, including Penny Wong, meet in Washington next week. Mr Albanese has maintained Australia will set its own agenda, and refused to be drawn on whether he was concerned Australia could be similarly threatened if he continues to resist the President's demands that allies lift their defence budgets. 'I'm not going to comment on things between Spain and the United States,' Mr Albanese said. 'We will invest in the capability that Australia needs. What my job is to look after Australia's national interest, that includes our defence and security interests and that's precisely what we are doing.' To a further question, the PM appeared frustrated and retorted 'There's a big focus on Spain … here today'. 'We have increased our defence investment. We've increased it by $57 billion over the medium term and by more than $10b in the short term.' Australia will spend two per cent of its GDP on defence this year, or $56b. That is expected to rise to $71b by 2028-29 and reach 2.33 per cent of GDP by 2033-34. The Government has said rather than throw out an abject number, its defence spending would be guided by capability needs. 'So we don't start with the question of how much money and then start to invent capability within it. We start with the question, what's required to be able to keep Australians safe; what's required to be able to meet our defence needs; what's that capability, and then you look at the expense issue, but you don't just - there's no area of public policy in Australia where we start with the financial envelope and then say, 'Okay, spend what you want' within it,' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Friday morning. Defence experts have also cautioned that it might be one thing for NATO countries to pledge to spend 5 per cent on defence, but meeting those commitments will be another. The latest NATO estimates show nine members failed to meet the 2 per cent target - set in 2014 - in 2024. Nevertheless, former Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey said not taking Mr Trump's request to lift defence spending seriously could risk relegating Australia to a 'tier three' ally. Mr Hockey warned Australia needed to step up amid Beijing 'aggression', but also needed the US onside. 'This is Beijing's aggression that we need to stand up to. Chinese people are great people. It is Beijing,' he told Sky News on Friday. 'The fact is, we do need the United States. They are crucial to the Indo-Pacific. 'They've just shown the world their capability to deliver on their objectives, and importantly, they are a force for good, and have been throughout our history. 'Now we have an open display of incredible power to be able to deliver on the objectives of the Western world, and we should be embracing that, not not fearing it, not being worried or afraid to go to the Oval Office or anywhere else.' Mr Albanese and Mr Trump have not spoken since the President left the G7 summit early, subsequently cancelling the planned bilateral meeting to get back to Washington to deal with the Israel-Iran conflict. Mr Trump has since spoken to several other world leaders he had to cancel on — but not Mr Albanese. Ms Leavitt on Thursday acknowledged 'not all' of those meetings had been made up. Mr Albanese has said he and Mr Trump will reschedule a meeting. The PM is set to travel to the US again in September to address the UN general assembly, and could try and meet him on the sidelines. The Coalition are incredulous that the PM will reportedly meet the Chinese President again before he meets with Mr Trump. 'He seems better positioned to get a meeting with the President of China from the President of the United States, and that is not what we need from a country or with a country that has underpinned the security of our region and the world for 70 years,' shadow defence minister Angus Taylor said on Friday. The Coalition are also demanding a ramped up pathway to 3 per cent of GDP. 'The Prime Minister himself has made that point, the most dangerous times since the Second World War, and in that context, it's incredibly disappointing that today, the Prime Minister has said that they will not increase defence spending to a level that's appropriate and necessary in order to implement their own plan,' he said, referring to the defence strategic review. Asked outright if the US should be able to dictate how much Australia spends on defence, he said 'absolutely not'. 'We should dictate it on what is necessary for us to be in control of our own destiny and for us to make sure we are able to achieve peace through deterrence in our region.' 'This Government needs to take seriously the defence of this great nation.'
