AI, Adelaide, and a Three-Way Tie: Labor's July Test

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese gave a landmark speech this month announcing the Government’s approach to Artificial Intelligence, including the establishment of the Office of AI in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to develop a coordinated national response across all portfolios.

The Government will introduce a set of Australian Standards for AI, to be legislated early in 2027. Highlighting the national significance of AI, National Cabinet will have a chance to consider the Government’s approach when it meets in August. 

The Prime Minister’s speech came ahead of Labor’s National Conference, held in Adelaide, where AI and its impact on jobs, communities, and copyright and artist protection dominated both the main event and the conference’s associated fringe program. 

Labor further used the backdrop of conference to make two Government policy announcements: the creation of a Fair Work Court, and the expansion of the Commonwealth Prac Payment to pharmacy and allied health students.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, newly-elected Labor President Kate Ellis, the Prime Minister and other delegates took the opportunity to contrast Labor with its opponents, including populist parties such as One Nation. Delegates highlighted the challenge posed by populism, repeatedly saying that Labor cannot take votes for granted in regional and working-class areas, and positioned Labor as the party capable of ensuring fairness. 

With the Victorian State Election scheduled for November 2026, One Nation’s strong polling is showing up in State polls too. There is effectively a three-way tie between Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation, all on around 30 per cent of the vote. 

Also in Pulse..

• Education Ministers met this month, where they agreed to the next steps to set up an Early Education and Care Commission and on the next steps for child safety in the early education and care sector. 
• Filling out a paper form when entering Australia from overseas will soon be replaced by the Australian Travel Declaration, a digital entry card. The digital card has been tested on some Qantas flights and will be expanded to all international airports and seaports over the next 12 to 18 months. 
• The CSIRO and AEMO released the 2025-26 GenCost Report, which found that a combination of solar and onshore wind is the most cost-effective pathway to a net zero electricity system. The report also found that batteries are now competing directly with gas in providing peak-period electricity. 
• Angus Taylor gave a speech to the Sydney institute earlier in the month, blaming Anthony Albanese and the Labor Government for Australia’s falling productivity and economic challenges, and describing One Nation as a ‘column of smoke’. He promised a Coalition Government would reduce regulation, scrap net zero, and fund new housing infrastructure. 
• The ACT Government’s Integrity Commission released its Operation Kingfisher report, finding a former Ministerial Chief of Staff and former Director-General had engaged in serious corrupt conduct regarding a procurement decision. Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry resigned as a result of the report.