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Artificial Intelligence Joint Select Committee: Membership Ballot

Parliament of Australia

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Details

Date Published
27 Mar 2024
Priority Score
4
Australian
Yes
Created
17 Sept 2026, 08:00 am

Authors (1)

Description

Search engine for Australian parliamentary documents and media.

Summary

This parliamentary record details the selection process for the crossbench representative on the Australian Parliament's Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence. Senator David Pocock was elected over Senator David Shoebridge to serve on the committee tasked with evaluating the opportunities and risks posed by AI. The committee's formation represents a significant step in Australian global governance, focusing on the legislative challenges presented by exponential technologies and their impact on society. The appointment of specific lawmakers to this body influences the direction of national policy regarding AI safety, transparency, and the mitigation of large-scale societal disruptions.

Body

Senator DAVID POCOCK (Australian Capital Territory—Independent ACT Whip) (11:23): I thank the Senate for this opportunity. One of the criticisms of the AI industry is that it still remains overwhelmingly white and male, so the irony is not lost on me that the Senate is provided with an opportunity to vote between two white dudes named David. Senator David Shoebridge does outstanding work at estimates and on committees, so I think, whatever the Senate decides, there will be a crossbencher engaging in good faith on this issue, which is one of the huge challenges we face. We're facing an exponential technology that is clearly difficult to deal with for legislators and difficult to deal with as a society. I think either David will make a good contribution to this community. The PRESIDENT: Ballot papers will now be distributed and collected once they're filled in. I invite Senators McKim and Lambie to act as scrutineers. A ballot having been taken— The PRESIDENT: The result of the ballot is as follows: Senator David Pocock, 49 votes; and Senator Shoebridge, 12 votes. There were two invalid votes. Senator David Pocock is therefore elected. Congratulations, Senator Pocock.