Government News (Australia)

Councils Lack Mandatory AI Governance

The NSW Audit Office reports that only 40% of the state’s 128 councils have formal AI policies, and merely 11% possess a strategic AI adoption plan. While 90 councils have deployed 109 AI tools, most lack a central inventory, leaving oversight fragmented. The report urges the Office of Local Government to create a mandatory AI governance framework, but Local Government NSW warns such mandates could exacerbate financial disparities. Without consistent governance, councils risk bias, security, and missed efficiency gains as AI usage expands.