Global Aussie company defends 150 job cuts as Australia urged to embrace AI

The Advertiser

5 days ago

The former chief executive of software giant Atlassian has defended the company's decision to fire 150 workers, urging Australia to embrace AI technology.
Staff at the Australian-American tech company reportedly learnt that their jobs were axed via a prerecorded video from chief executive and co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Scott Farquhar, who stepped down as joint chief executive of Atlassian in September 2024, defended the move while speaking at the National Press Club on July 30.
"We just can't dig our heels in and say the jobs of today will be the jobs in 20 years," Mr Farquhar said.
"Some parts of our economy will grow significantly as AI makes them more productive, and some parts of our economy will shrink as we do that," he said.
The Australian billionaire said he felt "privileged and blessed" to live in a country with a strong social safety net.
He said Australians had "very strong skilling opportunities" that allowed job seekers to retrain in new areas.
"I also think that if we say the burden of retraining sits on the companies that are making those changes, that can put us at a comparative disadvantage to other places in the world," he said.
"We're always changing the number of people we have at Atlassian on a regular basis, and so there'll always be jobs we're adding."
It comes less than a fortnight after contributing writer Kelli Mara Korducki published an article on Atlassian's Work Life, warning companies against replacing staff with AI.
"Leaders should approach AI as a tool to support teams, not a mechanism to replace team members," the article said.
"Think about it: You wouldn't expect a hammer to do the job of a carpenter. The same logic applies to transformative tech."
Atlassian was contacted for comment.
The former chief executive of software giant Atlassian has defended the company's decision to fire 150 workers, urging Australia to embrace AI technology.
Staff at the Australian-American tech company reportedly learnt that their jobs were axed via a prerecorded video from chief executive and co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Scott Farquhar, who stepped down as joint chief executive of Atlassian in September 2024, defended the move while speaking at the National Press Club on July 30.
"We just can't dig our heels in and say the jobs of today will be the jobs in 20 years," Mr Farquhar said.
"Some parts of our economy will grow significantly as AI makes them more productive, and some parts of our economy will shrink as we do that," he said.
The Australian billionaire said he felt "privileged and blessed" to live in a country with a strong social safety net.
He said Australians had "very strong skilling opportunities" that allowed job seekers to retrain in new areas.
"I also think that if we say the burden of retraining sits on the companies that are making those changes, that can put us at a comparative disadvantage to other places in the world," he said.
"We're always changing the number of people we have at Atlassian on a regular basis, and so there'll always be jobs we're adding."
It comes less than a fortnight after contributing writer Kelli Mara Korducki published an article on Atlassian's Work Life, warning companies against replacing staff with AI.
"Leaders should approach AI as a tool to support teams, not a mechanism to replace team members," the article said.
"Think about it: You wouldn't expect a hammer to do the job of a carpenter. The same logic applies to transformative tech."
Atlassian was contacted for comment.
The former chief executive of software giant Atlassian has defended the company's decision to fire 150 workers, urging Australia to embrace AI technology.
Staff at the Australian-American tech company reportedly learnt that their jobs were axed via a prerecorded video from chief executive and co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Scott Farquhar, who stepped down as joint chief executive of Atlassian in September 2024, defended the move while speaking at the National Press Club on July 30.
"We just can't dig our heels in and say the jobs of today will be the jobs in 20 years," Mr Farquhar said.
"Some parts of our economy will grow significantly as AI makes them more productive, and some parts of our economy will shrink as we do that," he said.
The Australian billionaire said he felt "privileged and blessed" to live in a country with a strong social safety net.
He said Australians had "very strong skilling opportunities" that allowed job seekers to retrain in new areas.
"I also think that if we say the burden of retraining sits on the companies that are making those changes, that can put us at a comparative disadvantage to other places in the world," he said.
"We're always changing the number of people we have at Atlassian on a regular basis, and so there'll always be jobs we're adding."
It comes less than a fortnight after contributing writer Kelli Mara Korducki published an article on Atlassian's Work Life, warning companies against replacing staff with AI.
"Leaders should approach AI as a tool to support teams, not a mechanism to replace team members," the article said.
"Think about it: You wouldn't expect a hammer to do the job of a carpenter. The same logic applies to transformative tech."
Atlassian was contacted for comment.
The former chief executive of software giant Atlassian has defended the company's decision to fire 150 workers, urging Australia to embrace AI technology.
Staff at the Australian-American tech company reportedly learnt that their jobs were axed via a prerecorded video from chief executive and co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Scott Farquhar, who stepped down as joint chief executive of Atlassian in September 2024, defended the move while speaking at the National Press Club on July 30.
"We just can't dig our heels in and say the jobs of today will be the jobs in 20 years," Mr Farquhar said.
"Some parts of our economy will grow significantly as AI makes them more productive, and some parts of our economy will shrink as we do that," he said.
The Australian billionaire said he felt "privileged and blessed" to live in a country with a strong social safety net.
He said Australians had "very strong skilling opportunities" that allowed job seekers to retrain in new areas.
"I also think that if we say the burden of retraining sits on the companies that are making those changes, that can put us at a comparative disadvantage to other places in the world," he said.
"We're always changing the number of people we have at Atlassian on a regular basis, and so there'll always be jobs we're adding."
It comes less than a fortnight after contributing writer Kelli Mara Korducki published an article on Atlassian's Work Life, warning companies against replacing staff with AI.
"Leaders should approach AI as a tool to support teams, not a mechanism to replace team members," the article said.
"Think about it: You wouldn't expect a hammer to do the job of a carpenter. The same logic applies to transformative tech."
Atlassian was contacted for comment.