Government package includes digital duty of care
AI guardrails won backing from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, or ACCAN, after the federal government announced a package covering a legislated digital duty of care, privacy law reform and stronger consumer protections.
ACCAN, the peak communications consumer body in Australia, said the package aims to secure AI benefits while addressing risks as Australians use more AI-powered digital services.
Chief executive Carol Bennett called the announcement a significant moment for consumers, but she warned that enforcement will decide whether the reforms work in practice.
Carol Bennett urges enforcement
“We must balance the enormous promise of emerging AI tools and services against the inherent risks,” Bennett said.
According to ACCAN, a principles-based model focused on safety and harm reduction fits artificial intelligence because regulation often trails fast-moving technology.
Bennett also tied public trust to competition, arguing Australians need confidence that AI-powered services operate in markets that are fair, competitive and accountable.
She warned that a handful of large players must not set terms that consumers have little choice but to accept.
In recent government consultations, ACCAN pushed for mandatory, economy-wide AI guardrails across high-risk AI settings, automated decision-making and children’s online privacy.
Meanwhile, the group renewed its call for a robust digital duty of care and stronger protections for personal data as scams become more powerful.
“We’ve long called for a robust, legislated digital duty of care and strengthened protections for personal data. AI is supercharging scams and inflating the value of consumers’ data like never before,” Bennett said.
ACCAN now plans to examine the reform details closely, especially whether the final rules keep markets competitive and serve consumers rather than industry.
Bennett said legislative frameworks must stay strong even as policymakers keep enough flexibility to respond as AI changes.
As a result, ACCAN wants regulators with enforcement powers regardless of portfolio, with consumer protection kept at the centre of the framework.
ACCAN operates with Commonwealth funding under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997, with that funding recovered through charges on telecommunications carriers.
