Former New York mayor urges Melbourne to act on AI-driven job losses
Bill De Blasio warned that AI could trigger significant job cuts in Melbourne and called for legislation to protect displaced workers.
At the Melbourne Assembly forum in Federation Square, former New York mayor Bill De Blasio warned that artificial intelligence is already reshaping job markets worldwide and could cause widespread redundancies in Melbourne. He pointed to recent AI-linked cuts at Australian companies including Atlassian, WiseTech Global and Microsoft, and urged the adoption of a displacement protection bill modeled on New York's proposal, which would mandate advance notice, continued pay and retraining for workers.
Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy Anthony Carbines highlighted free training programmes and ethical AI deployment but declined to discuss specific legislation. The Victorian Trades Hall Council's secretary Luke Hilakari called the AI transition the biggest workforce shift since computerisation and demanded a broader inquiry involving government, employers and unions. De Blasio also pressed for stricter data-centre regulations, citing limited local job creation and urging community benefit agreements. The forum runs from October 19 to 21.
Why it matters
AI could reshape Melbourne's labour market, making policy safeguards crucial for workers.
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