Sydney Morning Herald
Albanese flags crackdown on power-hungry data centres and AI copyright theft
Australia's data centres are now squarely in Labor's political crosshairs, with Prime Minister Albanese pledging to prevent the energy-hungry facilities from driving up electricity bills for ordinary Australians. The announcement comes as One Nation moves to capitalise on growing public concern about the infrastructure demands of the AI boom. The government is also signalling a harder line on AI copyright issues, putting tech companies on notice that intellectual property theft will not go unchecked.
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Labor takes a stand on data centre rules and AI copyright
Australia's Labor government has unveiled a national AI standards framework, with the prime minister warning the country has a limited window to shape how artificial intelligence earns public trust. The plan takes aim at data centre regulation and AI copyright protections, signaling a more interventionist approach to the technology sector. Getting the rules right now, the government argues, will determine whether Australia leads or follows on one of the defining policy challenges of the decade.
Read article →Guardian AU
Almost 145,000 Australians will lose support for autism under NDIS reforms, documents reveal
Australia's NDIS is set to strip autism support from nearly 145,000 participants by 2030, with a significant portion being children, according to leaked internal government estimates. The cuts are part of a broader push to refocus the $52 billion scheme on individuals with the most severe and complex disabilities. Critics warn the move could leave tens of thousands of vulnerable Australians without critical services.
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School worker on child abuse material charges denied bail
A 35-year-old school worker has been remanded in custody after police allegedly discovered child abuse material on her mobile phone. The woman, who is seven months pregnant, was denied bail following the discovery. The case raises serious concerns given her direct access to children through her role in education.
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Sydney Morning Herald
Labor’s reforms harm the people they’re supposed to help: aged care watchdog
Australia's outgoing aged care watchdog is sounding the alarm on Labor's reforms, warning that rising user co-payments and lengthy waits for home care packages are pushing vulnerable Australians into nursing homes before they need to be there. The unintended consequence is a double blow: worse outcomes for older Australians and higher costs for taxpayers. The warning carries added weight coming from the regulator charged with overseeing the very system the reforms were meant to fix.
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