Member ALERT || Update on the national labour hire scheme

As part of our continued lobbying and advocacy work on behalf of members, we're pleased to share the below update on the progress of the national labour hire scheme, and the use of AI in government, via Cornerstone Group.
 
Update on national labour hire scheme - Minister's Communique
 
Digital and Data Ministers met last week and agreed on a Communique confirming the process from here on the national labour hire scheme. 
 
A harmonised national model was endorsed by Ministers in December with Victoria and the Commonwealth charged with leading the process for an intergovernmental process establishing the scheme.
 
That model will be published shortly on the Department's website and a consultation timetable on the model will be released in July.
 
Ministers at last week's meeting continued their endorsement of the model but this time subject to agreement on funding arrangements. Tasmania will provide its position out of session. We understand (confidentially/not for sharing) that while some states support a Victorian style model others do not or are not willing to fund it.
 
This may mean that agreement on the model and its funding is not finalised to late this year or even next.
 
We have remained in touch with the Federal and Victorian departments leading this and will update members once the model is posted on the Federal Department's website and again when the consultation timeline is released.
 
The same Communique also includes an agreement for the states and Commonwealth to work together to minimise regulatory inconsistency across jurisdictions, to improve usability and outcomes for businesses and workers. A particular focus is the the impact of recent reforms in referring/state jurisdictions around the FWA definitions of employer and employee, and the inclusion of super in the National Employment Standards. States that don't have legislation to prevent discrimination against victims of domestic violence are also encouraged to consider doing so. 
 
AI in government 
 
A new set of guardrails that lays out clear human rights expectations for the use of artificial intelligence across federal, state and territory governments has been unveiled.
The framework, which has been a year in the making, was released following a meeting of the Data and Digital Minister on Friday. 
It is based on New South Wales’ existing AI assurance framework and Data61’s AI Ethics Principles.
 
While a regulatory approach to use AI more widely in the industry is still being considered by the Federal government (including advice from the Ministerial Advisory Group) testing, transparency and accountability are emerging as likely themes. 
 
APSCo will continue to keep members updated as more details are received.

If your firm would like to help support APSCo with our ongoing discussions with government, please contact APSCo Australia MD, Lesley Horsburgh.
 
Thank you
APSCo Australia