Labor’s AI move ‘appropriate’ but ‘too late’, MPs sayAnthony Albanese is touting a world-first approach to artificial intelligence ahead of a major speech, but critics say he is “too late”.Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer2 min readJuly 15, 2026 - 9:57AMNewsWireAnthony Albanese’s Office of Artificial Intelligence is welcome but should have happened sooner, crossbench and opposition MPs say.The Prime Minister will on Wednesday use a speech in Sydney to tout the new office, nestled within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, as a world-leading approach to AI.“Getting this right will enhance our appeal to international investors by delivering greater clarity and speed for approvals and a streamlined process for verifying compliance,” Mr Albanese will say, according to advanced extracts of his speech.“It also imposes an important discipline on government.“AI touches on the work of every minister and department, so it is only natural that, up until now, our response has been issue by issue, sector by sector.”Community Strong Australia MP Allegra Spender applauded the move but said it should have come sooner.Others you may likenewsnewsAnthony Albanese will announce the government’s approach to AI on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / John GassCommunity Strong Australia MP Allegra Spender says she wishes Labor created the office ‘earlier’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman“Frankly, I wish they had done this earlier,” Ms Spender told Nine’s Today.“We don’t want to just be takers of technology from overseas, but there’s also a lot of concern out there, whether it be on data centres, whether it be on privacy, whether it be on protecting our kids and things like deepfakes.“So I think it is appropriate that the government takes this on more actively.”Opposition digital economy spokesman Aaron Violi struck a similar, albeit more critical tone, saying it was “too late”.“This office should have been put in three years ago,” he told Sky News.“The reality is, the Prime Minister has failed to lead.”Mr Violi took aim at the little detail released ahead of the office’s formal unveiling and accused the government of swinging between heavy handed over-regulation and “a light touch approach” that has caused “complete chaos”.“We’ve now got the PM saying: ‘Look, I’m going to step in and show leadership’.“He should have shown leadership three years ago because it has impacted Australians for the last three-to-four years.”Opposition digital economy spokesman Aaron Violi says Labor’s approach AI has caused ‘complete chaos’. Picture: NewsWire / David BeachFrom what is known of Mr Albanese’s plan, the office will work closely with Industry Minister Tim Ayres and Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton, who will co-design new Australian standards for AI.However, there will be input from across portfolios, including the Attorney-General’s Department for copyright protections and Defence and Home Affairs for national security.“Will make a difference”Mr Charlton was the government’s voice spruiking the office ahead of Mr Albanese’s speech.Mr Charlton insisted the office would make a difference.“We need to make sure that Australia shapes the future of how this technology is deployed,” he told the ABC’s Radio National, adding that there were “many different departments within government that have equities in this space”.“The Prime Minister is bringing national leadership to the issue.“He is well placed to bring together the states and territories, bring together different parts of government and make sure that we have a consistent national framework, and he’ll be announcing important elements of that framework later today.”Andrew Charlton says the Prime Minister’s plan shows national leadership. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman.Mr Charlton would not say if the office showed more of an interventionist approach, instead saying it was the product of careful consideration.More CoverageDay one for Albo’s ‘world-first’ AI planNathan Schmidt“We had our national plan out, we had our data centre expectations out, and this is about making sure that those expectations of large AI data centres are nationally consistent,” he said.“The Prime Minister is the perfect person to deliver that national consistency, working across departments and working with the states and territories – it’s an implementation of the process that has been underway.”More to comeRead related topics:Anthony AlbaneseJoin the conversationAdd your comment to this storyTo join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? 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