( July 8, 2026, 01:26 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: The Australian government wants to capture the benefits of artificial intelligence but also wants to keep the people safe, a minister said. In a speech in Sydney on Tuesday, Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and Digital Economy Andrew Charlton said that AI safety would be pursued through every relevant agency and regulator as part of Australia’s “whole-of-government approach” to AI regulation. He said this would include addressing AI safety through consumer law, therapeutic goods regulation, workplace health and safety and online safety, backed by existing laws that would be “strengthened, where they need to be, with new powers and tougher enforcement.” Charlton said AI safety should not be seen as a brake on AI adoption but rather as an enabler of greater trust and uptake.Speech follows....
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