How the federal budget will impact Aussie partners

The Albanese government announced its budget, and this is what Aussie IT partners need to know.

The newly announced federal budget featured various investments in AI and digital technologies, plus continued investment in foreign and local AI tech companies, all of which could impact Aussie IT channel workers.

The Australian government said it is “ensuring” that all citizens benefit from AI continuing to progress actions under the National AI Plan.

These technology investments are also one of the pillars underneath the government’s productivity agenda.

The recent Microsoft AI deal was mentioned in the budget as the federal government said it will continue to develop “collaborative arrangements” with leading international and domestic AI and technology companies. The other deal is with Anthropic.

The budget highlighted that “rising global protectionism” continues to drive shifts in global trade flows placing pressure on prices especially within the US.

Due to this, the federal government noted that strong investment in AI and technology could be a potential source of productivity growth in the medium term, which could benefit Australian IT partners.

In the budget, treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Australian economy is being reshaped by structural shifts across energy, industry, technology, demography and geopolitics.

“We’re seizing the vast opportunities from AI with grants to commercialise AI innovations and making government more efficient,” Chalmers said in a speech to parliament.

Chalmers noted that this budget will help “build a more resilient, productive and competitive economy.”

In seven points, the federal government elaborated on how it will continue its investment in the technology through its National AI plan.

Some of these include an accelerating the development and commercialisation of AI and launching an AI-focused website, AI.gov.au.

The federal government also promises to improve service delivery and efficiency across public sector agencies, and keep Aussies safe through the recently launched AI Safety Institute.

It will also advance data policy by acting on the Statutory Review of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 to better support government data sharing.

In terms of data centres, it will continue aligning its investment by setting expectations for data centre developers.

Telco infrastructure

The federal government said it will “modernise” the Telecommunications Act and the National Broadband Network Companies.

This is to improve the rollout of fibre and new telecommunications infrastructure, enable the removal of redundant facilities and enhance National Broadband Network services in multi-dwelling and commercial buildings.