Latest news with #Speakman
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Australia to have its first AI minister in shocking plan to save nurses and teachers from boring paperwork
Australia to Appoint First AI Minister Under NSW Plan to Help Teachers and Nurses Focus on What Matters Imagine a classroom or hospital where educators and healthcare workers spend more time caring and less time on paperwork. That's the vision behind NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman's bold proposal for Australia's first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence, a move designed to liberate frontline public workers from routine chores and boost productivity. Speakman said this new minister would spearhead a statewide AI strategy. 'It can relieve our teachers, our nurses, a whole lot of public‑sector workers of mundane tasks, improve productivity, and drive every tax dollar further,' he told NewsWire . The plan includes not only a dedicated ministry and AI national action plan but also low‑interest 'AI for Biz' loans to help small and medium businesses adopt 'responsible AI'. Speakman aims to follow countries like Canada, France, the UAE, and Taiwan, which already have AI ministers or similar offices. He argues that by pushing innovation, NSW won't lag. 'Every technological change has increased living standards,' he said. 'I want Australia and NSW to be leaders of that, not followers.' Not everyone is ready to sign off. Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, warned that AI 'has thus far failed because it lacks empathy' in public‑facing trials. He urges caution, especially with sensitive data. 'Keeping that secure must be our number‑one priority,' he says. Speakman counters that the AI Minister would also oversee re‑skilling workers to ensure technology augments, not replaces, jobs. He draws an analogy with Luddites, arguing that past fears of technology were ultimately proven wrong and that AI will create more and more productive jobs. Delivering a budget reply speech in late June, Speakman branded the timing urgent amid rising living costs and criticisms of the Minns Labor government's spending. He framed AI as a means to stretch every tax dollar meanwhile, is focusing on other pressing issues, housing shortfalls, health care expansion, and small‑business support. Whether AI earns a formal ministry remains to be seen.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Australia to have its first AI minister in shocking plan to save nurses and teachers from boring paperwork
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Imagine a classroom or hospital where educators and healthcare workers spend more time caring and less time on paperwork. That's the vision behind NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman's bold proposal for Australia's first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence , a move designed to liberate frontline public workers from routine chores and boost said this new minister would spearhead a statewide AI strategy. 'It can relieve our teachers, our nurses, a whole lot of public‑sector workers of mundane tasks, improve productivity, and drive every tax dollar further,' he told NewsWire. The plan includes not only a dedicated ministry and AI national action plan but also low‑interest 'AI for Biz' loans to help small and medium businesses adopt 'responsible AI'.Speakman aims to follow countries like Canada, France, the UAE, and Taiwan, which already have AI ministers or similar offices. He argues that by pushing innovation, NSW won't lag. 'Every technological change has increased living standards,' he said. 'I want Australia and NSW to be leaders of that, not followers.' Not everyone is ready to sign off. Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association , warned that AI 'has thus far failed because it lacks empathy' in public‑facing trials. He urges caution, especially with sensitive data. 'Keeping that secure must be our number‑one priority,' he counters that the AI Minister would also oversee re‑skilling workers to ensure technology augments, not replaces, jobs. He draws an analogy with Luddites, arguing that past fears of technology were ultimately proven wrong and that AI will create more and more productive a budget reply speech in late June, Speakman branded the timing urgent amid rising living costs and criticisms of the Minns Labor government's spending. He framed AI as a means to stretch every tax dollar meanwhile, is focusing on other pressing issues, housing shortfalls, health care expansion, and small‑business support. Whether AI earns a formal ministry remains to be seen.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman pledges to establish AI minister
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has pledged to establish a minister for artificial intelligence and slammed the Labor government's budget as a 'Band-Aid' written in 'red ink' amid soaring cost of living. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey delivered Labor's third budget on Tuesday, with a new housing developer guarantee scheme and funding for vulnerable children. In his budget reply speech, Mr Speakman pledged to address low productivity growth in the state, which the budget said would continue 'without meaningful technological breakthrough', by embracing 'responsible artificial intelligence across public service processes'. Mr Speakman said the controversial technology would improve services and free up teachers, healthcare professionals and public servants to 'engage directly with people in problems, instead of being tied up with unnecessary administrative burdens'. 'This work would be preceded by the development of an AI opportunities action plan, as in the UK, overseen by a dedicated minister for artificial intelligence,' he said. 'For small and medium business owners looking to get ahead using AI, a Coalition government would set 'AI for biz' – a zero, low-interest loan scheme for small and medium businesses looking to introduce responsible AI into their business operations.' Mr Speakman used his address on Thursday to make his pitch on what a future Coalition government would look like, more details of which would emerge in the many months to come before the next state election. Among his pledges were to advocate for the restoration of the First Home Buyer Choice Program, 'removing the burden of stamp duty for young people trying to get into the market', and exempting stamp duty for eligible older Australians looking to downsize. On cost of living, Mr Speakman said he would call on the state government to reinstate the Full Active Kids Program as well as introduce a 'fairer' payroll tax scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, establish preventive health hubs, expand telehealth, and prioritise emergency care. Mr Speakman earlier praised the former Coalition government as the state's 'most successful' and accused Labor of failing to deliver more infrastructure. 'Labor has no plan to replace the pipeline of projects that have underpinned job creation, economic growth, and service delivery across the state,' he said on Thursday. 'Instead, under Labor, there's a whopping cut of public infrastructure investment as a share of the economy.' Mr Speakman described the budget as being 'written in red ink'. 'A budget of debt, not discipline, a budget of vagaries, not vision, a budget that's about papering over the cracks rather than building for the long term. 'A budget putting Band-Aids on the major problems faced by the state, like housing, cost of living, infrastructure and health. 'A budget that will be forgotten, even if the costs, the waste, and the missed opportunities that it presents linger long afterwards. 'Past this parliament and a budget which, after two years in office, shows the mettle of this government. 'A government sleepwalking through its term already out of steam. 'A government more focused on spin and soft congratulations than results, while everyday people see this state go backwards.' Mr Speakman said Labor had failed to deliver any additional cost-of-living support and was 'investing less in the future while letting debt spiral'. 'It's ordinary families who are paying the price while the government is building less, it's borrowing more on its own,' he said. He went on to describe Labor's projected 2028 budgetary surplus as a 'fairytale'. He noted there was also no provision in the budget for potential public service wage rises above the government's current offer. Originally published as NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman pledges to establish AI minister in budget reply
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
State leader's shock AI call
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has pledged to establish a minister for artificial intelligence and slammed the Labor government's budget as a 'Band-Aid' written in 'red ink' amid soaring cost of living. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey delivered Labor's third budget on Tuesday, with a new housing developer guarantee scheme and funding for vulnerable children. In his budget reply speech, Mr Speakman pledged to address low productivity growth in the state, which the budget said would continue 'without meaningful technological breakthrough', by embracing 'responsible artificial intelligence across public service processes'. Mr Speakman said the controversial technology would improve services and free up teachers, healthcare professionals and public servants to 'engage directly with people in problems, instead of being tied up with unnecessary administrative burdens'. 'This work would be preceded by the development of an AI opportunities action plan, as in the UK, overseen by a dedicated minister for artificial intelligence,' he said. NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman has slammed the Labor government's budget as a 'Band-Aid'. NewsWire / Nikki Short Credit: News Corp Australia 'For small and medium business owners looking to get ahead using AI, a Coalition government would set 'AI for biz' – a zero, low-interest loan scheme for small and medium businesses looking to introduce responsible AI into their business operations.' Mr Speakman used his address on Thursday to make his pitch on what a future Coalition government would look like, more details of which would emerge in the many months to come before the next state election. Among his pledges were to advocate for the restoration of the First Home Buyer Choice Program, 'removing the burden of stamp duty for young people trying to get into the market', and exempting stamp duty for eligible older Australians looking to downsize. On cost of living, Mr Speakman said he would call on the state government to reinstate the Full Active Kids Program as well as introduce a 'fairer' payroll tax scheme for small and medium-sized businesses, establish preventive health hubs, expand telehealth, and prioritise emergency care. Mr Speakman earlier praised the former Coalition government as the state's 'most successful' and accused Labor of failing to deliver more infrastructure. 'Labor has no plan to replace the pipeline of projects that have underpinned job creation, economic growth, and service delivery across the state,' he said on Thursday. 'Instead, under Labor, there's a whopping cut of public infrastructure investment as a share of the economy.' Mr Speakman described the budget as being 'written in red ink'. 'A budget of debt, not discipline, a budget of vagaries, not vision, a budget that's about papering over the cracks rather than building for the long term. 'A budget putting Band-Aids on the major problems faced by the state, like housing, cost of living, infrastructure and health. 'A budget that will be forgotten, even if the costs, the waste, and the missed opportunities that it presents linger long afterwards. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey delivered Labor's third budget on Tuesday. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia 'Past this parliament and a budget which, after two years in office, shows the mettle of this government. 'A government sleepwalking through its term already out of steam. 'A government more focused on spin and soft congratulations than results, while everyday people see this state go backwards.' Mr Speakman said Labor had failed to deliver any additional cost-of-living support and was 'investing less in the future while letting debt spiral'. 'It's ordinary families who are paying the price while the government is building less, it's borrowing more on its own,' he said. He went on to describe Labor's projected 2028 budgetary surplus as a 'fairytale'. He noted there was also no provision in the budget for potential public service wage rises above the government's current offer.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Liberal leader vows to find 'rivers of gold in revenue'
A Labor budget has failed to deliver any bold visions or ambitious projects befitting of Australia's economic powerhouse, a state Liberal leader says. Softly spoken NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's third budget was based on "dubious assumptions" and projections of a surplus were "phony". Mr Speakman said housing was an "intergenerational equity issue" and the budget needed to reflect its urgency. The budget handed down on Tuesday forecasts 240,000 housing completions by 2029, exceeding the previous government's forecast but below the 377,000 new homes targeted under a national housing agreement. "Their (Labor's) own budget doesn't tackle the biggest problem in the game when it comes to housing supply and that's feasibility to build, to make it profitable for people to build," Mr Speakman said. Asked how the coalition's policies would differ, Mr Speakman said the focus would be easing taxes and charges on new homes, calling them "some of the highest in the country". With a state election two years away, he said a budget under his leadership would capitalise on untapped sources. "There are rivers of gold when it comes to revenue with payroll tax, stamp duty, land tax, motor vehicle tax and even the GST," he said. The state's $128 billion 2025/26 budget featured increased investment in essential services and lower debt, with a $1 billion housing development fund to finance developers behind low- to mid-rise buildings. However, Mr Speakman said having the state act as a guarantor would not be enough to attract developers. "It may make a marginal difference to financing costs but it's not going to be a game-shifter," he newly minted federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley's vow on Wednesday to represent "modern Australia", Mr Speakman said he wanted to lure young voters back to the party by talking to their concerns. "You focus on the things that matter to the vast majority of citizens in NSW, which are cost of living, housing, good services, good schools for kids, public transport you can rely on," he said. "You've got to earn it, though. There can't be any sense of entitlement. "You have to persuade people you are there to represent their best interests and fight for them every day." A Labor budget has failed to deliver any bold visions or ambitious projects befitting of Australia's economic powerhouse, a state Liberal leader says. Softly spoken NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's third budget was based on "dubious assumptions" and projections of a surplus were "phony". Mr Speakman said housing was an "intergenerational equity issue" and the budget needed to reflect its urgency. The budget handed down on Tuesday forecasts 240,000 housing completions by 2029, exceeding the previous government's forecast but below the 377,000 new homes targeted under a national housing agreement. "Their (Labor's) own budget doesn't tackle the biggest problem in the game when it comes to housing supply and that's feasibility to build, to make it profitable for people to build," Mr Speakman said. Asked how the coalition's policies would differ, Mr Speakman said the focus would be easing taxes and charges on new homes, calling them "some of the highest in the country". With a state election two years away, he said a budget under his leadership would capitalise on untapped sources. "There are rivers of gold when it comes to revenue with payroll tax, stamp duty, land tax, motor vehicle tax and even the GST," he said. The state's $128 billion 2025/26 budget featured increased investment in essential services and lower debt, with a $1 billion housing development fund to finance developers behind low- to mid-rise buildings. However, Mr Speakman said having the state act as a guarantor would not be enough to attract developers. "It may make a marginal difference to financing costs but it's not going to be a game-shifter," he newly minted federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley's vow on Wednesday to represent "modern Australia", Mr Speakman said he wanted to lure young voters back to the party by talking to their concerns. "You focus on the things that matter to the vast majority of citizens in NSW, which are cost of living, housing, good services, good schools for kids, public transport you can rely on," he said. "You've got to earn it, though. There can't be any sense of entitlement. "You have to persuade people you are there to represent their best interests and fight for them every day." A Labor budget has failed to deliver any bold visions or ambitious projects befitting of Australia's economic powerhouse, a state Liberal leader says. Softly spoken NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's third budget was based on "dubious assumptions" and projections of a surplus were "phony". Mr Speakman said housing was an "intergenerational equity issue" and the budget needed to reflect its urgency. The budget handed down on Tuesday forecasts 240,000 housing completions by 2029, exceeding the previous government's forecast but below the 377,000 new homes targeted under a national housing agreement. "Their (Labor's) own budget doesn't tackle the biggest problem in the game when it comes to housing supply and that's feasibility to build, to make it profitable for people to build," Mr Speakman said. Asked how the coalition's policies would differ, Mr Speakman said the focus would be easing taxes and charges on new homes, calling them "some of the highest in the country". With a state election two years away, he said a budget under his leadership would capitalise on untapped sources. "There are rivers of gold when it comes to revenue with payroll tax, stamp duty, land tax, motor vehicle tax and even the GST," he said. The state's $128 billion 2025/26 budget featured increased investment in essential services and lower debt, with a $1 billion housing development fund to finance developers behind low- to mid-rise buildings. However, Mr Speakman said having the state act as a guarantor would not be enough to attract developers. "It may make a marginal difference to financing costs but it's not going to be a game-shifter," he newly minted federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley's vow on Wednesday to represent "modern Australia", Mr Speakman said he wanted to lure young voters back to the party by talking to their concerns. "You focus on the things that matter to the vast majority of citizens in NSW, which are cost of living, housing, good services, good schools for kids, public transport you can rely on," he said. "You've got to earn it, though. There can't be any sense of entitlement. "You have to persuade people you are there to represent their best interests and fight for them every day." A Labor budget has failed to deliver any bold visions or ambitious projects befitting of Australia's economic powerhouse, a state Liberal leader says. Softly spoken NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Treasurer Daniel Mookhey's third budget was based on "dubious assumptions" and projections of a surplus were "phony". Mr Speakman said housing was an "intergenerational equity issue" and the budget needed to reflect its urgency. The budget handed down on Tuesday forecasts 240,000 housing completions by 2029, exceeding the previous government's forecast but below the 377,000 new homes targeted under a national housing agreement. "Their (Labor's) own budget doesn't tackle the biggest problem in the game when it comes to housing supply and that's feasibility to build, to make it profitable for people to build," Mr Speakman said. Asked how the coalition's policies would differ, Mr Speakman said the focus would be easing taxes and charges on new homes, calling them "some of the highest in the country". With a state election two years away, he said a budget under his leadership would capitalise on untapped sources. "There are rivers of gold when it comes to revenue with payroll tax, stamp duty, land tax, motor vehicle tax and even the GST," he said. The state's $128 billion 2025/26 budget featured increased investment in essential services and lower debt, with a $1 billion housing development fund to finance developers behind low- to mid-rise buildings. However, Mr Speakman said having the state act as a guarantor would not be enough to attract developers. "It may make a marginal difference to financing costs but it's not going to be a game-shifter," he newly minted federal Liberal leader Sussan Ley's vow on Wednesday to represent "modern Australia", Mr Speakman said he wanted to lure young voters back to the party by talking to their concerns. "You focus on the things that matter to the vast majority of citizens in NSW, which are cost of living, housing, good services, good schools for kids, public transport you can rely on," he said. "You've got to earn it, though. There can't be any sense of entitlement. "You have to persuade people you are there to represent their best interests and fight for them every day."
