Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation and the Minister for Science. An AI advisory body was promised by former industry minister Ed Husic in 2024 after he appointed an interim expert panel to start work to ensure the technology was safe. In 2025, Minister Husic said that mandatory guard rails would be prioritised by the second term of the Albanese government. But, on 24 February, the government scrapped the permanent AI advisory body after spending 15 months and $200,000 working to identify experts to sit on it. Minister, you then announced a replacement AI Safety Institute that will be established in early 2026. Can the minister please explain how an institute with no powers other than to offer advice can protect Australians from the worst of AI?