QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (15:08): I thank the member for Calare for his question. I haven't had the opportunity to see the member's bill, but it is a good thing that members of parliament, including the member for Calare, are very conscious about the impact that this will have. It is already having an impact on how we work and how we engage with each other.
As the papal encyclical of Pope Leo showed, he spoke about it being a threat, essentially, to humanity unless we get this right. I think that the Holy Father was certainly correct. One of the things that my government has been concerned about is making sure that we elevate debate.
That's why I gave the speech at Sydney university. That's why we had a discussion at National Cabinet as well. We need to make sure that we shape the rollout of artificial intelligence.
It is hard to just press the stop button on new technology. What we need to do is to be aware of the opportunity that it presents for economic growth and for job creation but also very much aware of the risks which are there for humanity being able to be controlled. People aren't just economic entities and data points.
People need to have that interaction. It is absolutely critical. So, across a range of areas, we are looking at this.
We've established, as well, a parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. I don't know whether the member is on that committee or not. Certainly, given his interest in the issue, I'm sure that could be looked at.
People have a right to be seconded onto committees. It's not going to be a committee where votes occur; it's going to be a committee where discussion occurs in a really serious way. The member for Maribyrnong, I think, is the chair.
Senator Duniam is the deputy chair of this committee. We think it is absolutely vital that it's able to undertake its work. I welcome the member's interest, and I encourage all members to really examine how significant a change in the way that the world works this is going to be.
On that note, Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.