Does Tim Ayres support AI safety policies?

Position unclear. While Tim Ayres hasn't stated their position, Labor has an unclear stance on AI safety policies.

Senator Tim Ayres (Labor) represents NSW in the Senate.

In public statements he has championed a “lean in” approach to AI—encouraging investment in sovereign digital infrastructure, shaping global development, and lifting productivity, while emphasising regulation, worker voice, and union partnership to ensure AI adoption is safe, inclusive, and aligned with Australia’s social-democratic values.

Current Positions

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science

Since 2025

Key decision-maker for AI industry regulation, tech sector oversight, and manufacturing policy that affects AI deployment

Key Statements on AI Safety

“There are of course questions of regulation, norms, standards and how best to manage risks and harms, which need to be worked through here in Australia and with the sector and our friends and partners overseas. Increasing skills and education of Australians, and confidence in AI adoption is key.”

Department of Industry, Science and Resources · View source →

“[In response to criticism of the Productivity Commission's anti-regulation stance and call to roll back existing protections] I feel duty-bound to say you know the productivity commission is but one source of advice for the government. I pay attention to what they have to say... I think we should be pragmatic and lean into the opportunity and build our own capability to respond to problems.”

Per Capita - Burning Platforms Podcast · View source →

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Their score on expert-recommended AI safety policies

Over 357 experts, public figures, and concerned citizens endorsed these policies in their open letter before the 2025 election.

AI Safety Institute

A well-resourced, independent technical body to assess AI risks and advise on safety standards.

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Tim Ayres unclear position (from party policy)

Party Notes: Labor claims that the Department of Industry, working with the National AI Centre (NAIC), is Australia's AI Safety Institute. This contrasts with international AISIs, which are typically new, independent, technically-focused bodies. The NAIC’s mandate is AI adoption, not frontier safety. Key indicators of a functional AISI such as dedicated technical staff, specific funding, evaluation capabilities (e.g., model testing, compute resources) appear absent and unplanned. This makes Labor's position ambiguous regarding genuine support for a well-resourced safety institute.

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Mandatory Guardrails

A dedicated AI Act with mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI systems will both protect Australians and create the certainty businesses need to innovate.

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Tim Ayres partially supports (from party policy)

Party Notes: Labor says it's focused on legislative options around mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI, harmonised with international best practices. Labor said on 15 April, “We will have more to say about next steps soon.” While this suggests an Australian AI Act is a possibility, it leaves the door open to letting existing regulators handle AI on a piecemeal basis.

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