'A former Labor minister says the federal government "blinked" on AI regulation, shelving plans to make it safer for consumers rather than provoke US President
Australia's federal government has reportedly abandoned plans for mandatory safety regulations on high-risk AI. The former minister for industry and science, Ed Husic, had intended to introduce a standalone act with guardrails to protect consumers. However, following a change in ministry after the May 2025 election, this policy proposal was shelved, with sources suggesting the government prioritized avoiding conflict with the United States, particularly concerning former President Donald Trump. AI
IMPACT Potential rollback of AI safety measures could impact consumer protection and international regulatory alignment.