We recently outlined the key takeaways from Prime Minister Albanese’s 15 July 2026 speech announcing the establishment of mandatory ‘Australian Standards for AI’ (National AI Standards), a unified national framework designed to provide regulatory certainty for investors, developers and operators. Less than two weeks later, at the Australian Labor Party’s (ALP) 50th National Conference in Adelaide (23-25 July 2026) (Conference), delegates endorsed a platform amendment establishing a ‘Fair AI Taskforce’. We outline key highlights below.
Endorsed amendments
In the lead-up to the Conference, Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) impact on workers and jobs emerged as a significant concern in internal party discussions. A deal was brokered on 22 July 2026 to amend the party’s draft platform to include a commitment to establish a Fair AI Taskforce. The agreement was reached ahead of the Conference opening and was intended to address growing anxiety about AI-driven workforce disruption.
On the first day of the Conference, delegates voted unanimously to pass a motion calling on the government to establish a national taskforce on AI. The key elements of this Fair AI Taskforce are outlined below:
- Composition: unions, rank-and-file Labor members and AI experts, brought together to develop AI policy recommendations
- Purpose: to ensure that workers and unions can help shape how AI impacts Australian workplaces
- Focus areas: promoting AI literacy and digital upskilling as part of the policy platform.
Relationship to the National AI Standards
The Fair AI Taskforce and the National AI Standards represent two parallel but distinct tracks:
| National AI Standards | Fair AI Taskforce |
|---|---|
| A government-led initiative to establish a mandatory national regulatory framework for AI, subject to industry consultation before legislation is introduced to Parliament. | A party platform commitment to establish a body for worker and union engagement in AI policy development. As a platform amendment, it guides Labor’s policy direction but does not itself have force of law. |
The two tracks may intersect (for example, recommendations from the Taskforce could inform the Government’s approach to drafting the National AI Standards), but they operate through different mechanisms.
Looking ahead
It is important to note the Fair AI Taskforce is, at this stage, a party platform commitment. Changes to the ALP platform guide Labor’s policy agenda, but they do not become law until separately introduced to and passed through Parliament. There is no current indication of when, or whether, enabling legislation will be introduced, or the extent to which the Taskforce will influence the government’s policy direction.
The next key development on the regulatory front remains the industry consultation process for the National AI Standards. Stakeholders, including investors, developers, operators and affected industries, should monitor for the release of consultation materials.
We will continue to monitor both tracks and provide updates as the regulatory and policy landscapes develop.
Published
28 July 2026This update does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. It is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on matters of interest and it is not intended to be comprehensive. You should seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content.