Andrew Leigh 2025

When Geoffrey Hinton, the so‑called ‘godfather of AI’, declared in 2016 that ‘we should stop training radiologists now,’ his warning caused a stir. If any job was ripe for automation, surely it was reading medical scans: precise, repetitive, digital work that machines could perform in milliseconds and humans took years to master. Algorithms soon began matching and even outperforming doctors.

The Albanese Government has appointed Luke Woodward as a full‑time member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a five‑year period.

This appointment will help ensure one of the nation’s most important economic institutions has the talent and expertise to remain strong and effective into the future.

Opening

It is a real pleasure to be with you on Ngunnawal country at this year’s National Summit. Thank you to Liz Ritchie and the team from the Regional Australia Institute for inviting me to join you.

When technology makes work better

In 2016, Geoffrey Hinton, the ‘godfather of AI’, made a stark prediction. ‘We should stop training radiologists now’, he said, suggesting that artificial intelligence would soon take over the job of reading scans.

‘It’s not a question of enough, pal. It’s a zero‑sum game. Somebody wins and somebody loses.’ Gordon Gekko’s line in Wall Street captured the ethos of 1980s greed. Yet the mindset he embodies, that every gain must come at someone else’s expense, still lingers in public debate.

Leon Delaney:

The Albanese Government has appointed Ms Gabrielle Gallagher as the full‑time Registrar of Personal Property Securities, commencing on the day after the instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Australians can be assured the nation’s consumer laws have their back when using artificial intelligence.

The Review of Artificial Intelligence and the Australian Consumer Law shows that Australians enjoy the same strong consumer protections for artificial intelligence products and services as they do for traditional goods and services, including safety protections.

Ross Solly:

I wonder whether Andrew Leigh is a fan. Are you a fan of daylight saving Andrew Leigh? Well, you’re a runner. You probably do love it. Do you love it or not? Good morning to you.

Andrew Leigh:

The Albanese Government welcomes the latest ATO report into corporate tax transparency which shows the percentage of large businesses paying no tax has fallen.

The report shows large corporates paid $95.7 billion in income tax during the 2023–24 financial year with an increase in tax paid by private entities.