NSW Liberals Pitch Artificial Intelligence Overhaul for Public Service

The NSW Opposition wants to embed AI across the public service and appoint a dedicated minister to lead the charge.

Robots appear on stage during the Nvidia GTC Artificial Intelligence Conference in San Jose, California, on March 18, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

New South Wales Opposition Leader Mark Speakman is calling for the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Artificial Intelligence and the rollout of AI across the public service.

The pitch was part of the Liberal leader’s budget reply, less than two years out from the next state election, due in 2025.

He said the budget was written in red ink and then highlighted the state’s massive debt.

“It is a budget of debt, not discipline; it is a budget of vagaries, not vision. It is about papering over the cracks, rather than building for the long term; putting bandaids on major problems faced by the State, like housing, cost of living, infrastructure, and health,” he said.

The NSW budget projected a gross debt of $178.8 billion by June 2026, up from a predicted $166 billion in June 2025 and an actual $154.3 billion of gross debt in June 2024. Labor predicts debt to hit $199.7 billion by June 2029.

Speakman claimed the budget would soon be forgotten, even if the costs, waste, and missed opportunities linger long after it sails through parliament.

“It is a government sleepwalking through its term, already out of steam ... more focused on spin and self-congratulation than results, while everyday people see this state go backwards,” he said.

Artificial Intelligence Plan

Speakman then outlined a six-part plan, including a promise to embed “responsible artificial intelligence” across the public service.

“A Coalition government would embed responsible artificial intelligence across public service processes to improve services and free up teachers, healthcare professionals, and public servants to engage directly with people and problems instead of being tied up with unnecessary administrative burden,” he said.

He would also appoint a dedicated AI Minister.

“This work would be preceded by the development of an AI opportunities action plan, like that of the United Kingdom, which would be overseen by a dedicated Minister for Artificial Intelligence,” he said.

Further, Speakman outlined plans to set up a small and medium business AI loan scheme.

“This would be a zero- or low-interest loan scheme for small and medium businesses that are looking to introduce responsible AI into their business operations,” he said.

The Liberal leader also promised to balance the budget and avoid raising taxes.

“The sixth idea is budget responsibility,” he said.

“Strong financial management is part of our DNA. We will live within our means. We will aim to operate balanced budgets over the economic cycle. We will not take the lazy road of high taxes—as Labor does in general and this government in particular has done again and again—and we will grow the economy.”

He said the NSW Opposition would create the conditions for new jobs, new businesses, and new opportunities to thrive.

NSW Treasurer Defends Economic Outlook

New South Wales Treasurer Daniel Mookhey defended his government’s economic strategy, despite debt having more than doubled since June 2020, when it stood at $72.6 billion.

“The NSW economy is returning to normal following the disruptions primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in his budget speech.

Mookhey said for most of the last three years, the rising cost of living and higher interest rates had put pressure on households and dragged on economic growth.

“The challenge is no longer high inflation, but low growth. In this Budget, we show that cost of living pressures and interest rates are easing and opportunities for economic growth are emerging,” he said.

“Encouragingly, employment has increased by 178,000 positions between March 2023 and March 2025. More than 38,000 new small businesses have been created in the two years to June 2024.”

Both the Treasurer and the Opposition leader started their speeches stating they were on Gadigal land and paying respects to the traditional owners.