Thursday, 15 May 2025

Artificial intelligence

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:24): (914) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Government Services and is related to the use of generative AI and Copilot tools within the Victorian public service. We are not quite at the point of fighting for the survival of humanity against robots, but there is certainly a tension between algorithms, outsourcing analysis or decision-making to computer programs and human oversight. Whilst the Libertarians are generally in favour of improved efficiency of government services, the use of these tools presents challenges for privacy, data security and bad outcomes derived from flawed processes. There is clearly an intention for government to utilise these powerful tools to improve efficiency, but going forward too quickly without developing the relevant data protections, processes and oversight poses significant risks. My question is: has the use of Microsoft Copilot been deactivated in the Victorian public service whilst these protocols and training are being developed?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:25): Thank you, Mr Limbrick, for your question. I am going to have to do a straight referral on that and get you advice. There is obviously a lot of work going on in that space, and I am sure that the minister will be more than happy to talk to you about it, both in written form and in person.

David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:25): I thank the minister for passing that on. Privacy commissioners around Australia, including OVIC here in Victoria, have all shared concerns about potential privacy breaches, and they all agree that current privacy and data-sharing legislation has not been constructed with the scale and autonomy of modern AI tools in mind. There are massive potential problems, as accurate data-labelling and permissions access are absolutely critical to ensuring that AI queries are not inappropriately allowing access to data that is supposed to be unavailable to that particular user. OVIC identified many potential risks in relation to the information privacy principles, including principle 4 on data security, principle 11 on transborder data flows, principle 2 for the use and disclosure only for the primary purpose, principle 10 on sensitive information restrictions and many more. My question for the minister is: what protocols and training are being established throughout the public service and all areas of government to ensure that privacy and data security are not compromised by these tools?

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:26): Mr Limbrick, I will again forward your question on to the minister. I concur with you in relation to the importance of data integrity. It is something that is a focus of the government. It is also a topic of conversation across jurisdictions. As I said, I am sure that the minister will be more than happy to give you an update on where things are up to. I think that the general consensus is we want to get ahead in terms of the guidelines and protections, rather than lag behind.