Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

If I can, I will ask the minister about matters that I think he and I share an interest on—specifically, the impact on employment and jobs of automation and technology. I wanted to ask, in reference to the Department of Employment, particular questions in this regard. Firstly, can I ask: has the department undertaken any assessment of the impact of automation and technology on the Australian workforce and the labour market in coming years? How many jobs does the department believe will be made obsolete by automation in the next 15 years? Also, what advice has the department provided the Turnbull government about how to manage the impact of automation and technological change on Australian jobs? What funding in the department is dedicated to finding out what kinds of jobs will disappear due to automation, what jobs may replace them and what can be done to assist people in transition?

If the minister does not have those answers present—I understand they are very specific—I would welcome it if he could take them on notice. I am also well aware that he is a person very much across this issue, given previous portfolio areas he has occupied. I would certainly welcome any input he may have on those matters.

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