CPSU deputy secretary Rebecca Fawcett says the Federal Government must learn from the mistakes of Robodebt and not rush into automated decision-making. Photo: CPSU.
Commonwealth-employed public servants want their agencies to stop making automated decisions until the Federal Government sorts out clear regulations and safeguards.
A massive 98 per cent of Community and Public Sector Union members who attended a town hall meeting this week voted in favour of an immediate pause to complex automated decision-making processes across the Australian Public Service agencies.
The union is calling on the government to impose an immediate pause on the automated decisions until service-wide rules are put in place.
They are demanding the government develop “clear and mandatory safeguards” for the public service.
Members attending the meeting and voting on the motion were from agencies across the APS, including Services Australia; the National Disability Insurance Agency; Department of Health, Disability and Ageing; Department of Veterans’ Affairs; and the Australian Taxation Office.
Of particular concern is the practice of allowing an algorithm to determine a person’s access to or level of support, with little or no capacity for human intervention.
Members also expressed frustration over the way automated tools can harmfully impact the lives of Australian families.
Transparency was another concern, with more than a third of members saying they were unaware of whether automated decision-making was being used in their agencies.
A recent report by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner revealed there is limited disclosure in this area across most agencies.
With the tragedies of the illegal Robodebt scheme still fresh in most minds, CPSU deputy secretary Rebecca Fawcett said the government needs to learn from those mistakes as complex automated decision-making processes are rolled out.
“Public sector workers understand better than anyone the risks of rolling out complex automated decision-making systems without proper safeguards, transparency and accountability,” she said.
“The lesson from Robodebt is clear – government must not allow complex automated decision-making to operate ahead of clear rules that protect people, uphold public service values and ensure decisions can be properly explained and challenged.
“When frontline workers are consulted and genuinely listened to, governments make better decisions. Workers can identify practical risks and unintended consequences before they become serious problems for the community.
“With public concerns about the algorithmic decision-making in aged care, and a similar assessment tool planned for the NDIS, it is critical that we have clear and mandatory safeguards in place before systems are embedded in ways that could negatively affect the community – Australian families and public sector workers.”
The union said it will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability and common sense in automated decision-making in public services, including the need for stronger protections around artificial intelligence in the current round of APS service-wide bargaining.
Under new Privacy Act obligations, APS agencies must start disclosing when computer programs help decide people’s rights and entitlements.
At the same time, all agencies are being told to build and use more such programs through the government’s new AI platform and training mandate called GovAI.
The platform includes a catalogue of AI tools, hands-on training, and a secure sandbox where APS staff can test AI processes. It will also help teams to share and collaborate across agencies.
In launching GovAI recently, Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher said it was designed to empower public servants to develop AI skills in a “safe and ethical” way, as the government looks to integrate more AI solutions into everyday work.
“AI is increasingly becoming a feature of modern workplaces across Australia and the world, which is why the public service must be capable of harnessing the opportunities it provides while also maintaining public trust,” Senator Gallagher said.
“A safe and methodical adoption plan for the uptake of AI in the APS will mean better outcomes for public servants, for Australians who rely on everyday services, and for Australian companies doing business with the Commonwealth.”
