A national digital ID system is back on the table with draft legislation released this week. Also a covid-19 inquiry, hints about our national cybersecurity strategy, and a few stories about AI in government.
Here’s what I’ve noticed since the previous edition on 15 September.
- The consultation on Australia’s draft Digital ID legislation is under way. There’s a “quick and simple survey”, the exposure draft legislation itself, and a draft set of rules for digital ID providers. Submissions on the first two close 10 October, and on the last, 31 October.
- If you’re keen, you can also read minister Katy Gallagher’s speech, Digital ID and AI insights: How the Albanese Government is leading the digital evolution.
- Meanwhile minister Clare O’Neil gave some hints about Australia’s next cybersecurity strategy in a speech to the AFR Cyber Summit. Apparently we’re going to have six cyber shields.
- “A six-month taskforce has been set up by the federal government to help give some direction on the best — and safest — way public servants can use artificial intelligence (AI),” reports The Mandarin.
- Also, Australian Federal Police want humans to set boundaries for law enforcement AI.
- Federal government could pay millions in compensation over asylum seeker data breach.
- The Environment and Communications Legislation Committee is taking a look at the provisions of the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2023. You’ll have to be quick, though. For some reason the submissions close on 22 September, which is today.
- And finally, it’s not cyber as such, but we have the Commonwealth Government Covid-19 Response Inquiry terms of reference. If you prefer, you can read the PM’s media release.
Please let me know if I’ve missed anything, or if there’s any specific items you’d like me to follow. Parliament is now on break until 16 October, after which the schedule has changed slightly.
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[Photo: Australia’s public service minister Katy Gallagher.]