Opposition Leader Mark Speakman pledges AI rollout as part of NSW budget response
Artificial intelligence (AI) would be rolled out across government agencies and free loans offered to businesses adopting the technology, if the Coalition was running New South Wales.
In reply to the state budget on Thursday, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman revealed the alternative government's plan to embrace the technological revolution, including establishing the state's first minister for AI.
Mr Speakman said Labor had failed to address low productivity growth, which the budget papers forecasted to continue absent "meaningful reforms or a major technological breakthrough".
"A Coalition government would embrace, would embed, responsible artificial intelligence across public service processes," Mr Speakman told the legislative assembly.
Mr Speakman said the idea was "to improve services, to free up teachers, healthcare professionals and public servants" and alleviate "unnecessary administrative burdens".
He said a Liberal-National government would bring in a zero-or-low-interest loan scheme for small and medium businesses looking to introduce "responsible AI" into their operations.
On housing policy, the Coalition vowed to pause charges imposed on developers in a bid to make home building more viable and boost stock.
Under the Housing and Productivity Contribution, developers are required to pay up to $12,000 per unit in Greater Sydney.
The Property Council of Australia said on Tuesday up to 40 per cent of the cost of a development consisted of state and local charges.
Mr Speakman said the contribution would not be charged until the end of the National Housing Accord, which runs until July 2029.
"Affordability starts with supply. Supply starts with government that gets out of the way, not one that stacks on more costs," he said.
The Coalition launched an attack over what it called a "slush fund" of more than $868,000 in the budget.
According to the budget papers, the "special appropriation" fund for the treasurer is for spending related to "state contingencies … election commitments and essential services".
Mr Speakman told parliament the fund was "so broadly defined that it could be used for almost anything".
"If the government has specific plans for this funding, the public deserves to know," he said.
A special appropriation fund is a standard feature of budgets, but the amount has risen significantly from the $178 million allocation in last year's budget.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said it was "obvious" why there was a higher level of contingency funding.
"Members can examine the events of May in NSW and reach their own conclusion," he said, in an apparent reference to last month's flood disaster.
The budget Dominic Perrottet delivered as treasurer in 2021-22 contained $806 million for "COVID-19-related expenses" as well as "changes in wage awards and conditions".
Extra expenses that could come out of this year's fund include wage rises ordered by the Industrial Relations Commission and the cost of running the Northern Beaches Hospital if the government was to take over the facility.
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