The Centre for Public Integrity's "Computer Says No" report outlines eight vital reforms, including an independent watchdog and a public register for all public-sector algorithms. These warnings gained urgency after the Commonwealth Ombudsman discovered an aged care assessment algorithm systematically reduced elder entitlements while blocking staff from correcting mistakes. Although the Attorney-General's Department concluded consultations on an automated decision-making framework in January 2025, officials have not revealed when the draft rules will be released.
Key points
Independent advocates and MP Kate Chaney are pushing for an enforceable, legislated frame…: Independent advocates and MP Kate Chaney are pushing for an enforceable, legislated framework to govern automated public administration.
Australians are currently unaware when automated systems and artificial intelligence are…: Australians are currently unaware when automated systems and artificial intelligence are being utilized to make consequential decisions about their lives.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an upcoming framework will incorporate robode…: Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed an upcoming framework will incorporate robodebt royal commission guidance, but did not specify a release date.
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The federal government is “sleepwalking its way into another robodebt” scandal amid a lack of transparency and legislation around use of algorithms and artificial intelligence in decisions, the chief executive of independent thinktank the Centre for Public Integrity said.
Dr Catherine Williams launched the centre’s “Computer Says No” report on Thursday, which examines the use of automated decision-making (ADM) tools by the government and calls for urgent reform.
The centre is concerned Australians may not know whether ADM has been used in decisions affecting them.
Among eight recommendations, the report calls for a mandatory audit and public register of all ADM use, and an independent oversight body with powers to monitor, audit and investigate the government over it.
Williams said the report was developed amid the centre’s increasing concern about the use of an algorithm as part of the government’s integrated assessment tool (IAT), which is used to assess the level of home support older Australians are entitled to.
The IAT has been found to be routinely under-assessing people’s needs and package entitlements, with aged care assessors banned by the…
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