News and politics: Albanese announces AI Office and national standards, says Australia must ‘set the terms’
LIVE UPDATES: Anthony Albanese has declared Australia’s national story is one of ‘innovators and inventors’ as he opened his significant pitch for a world-first approach to tackle AI.
Scroll down for the latest news and live updates.
Key events
15 Jul 2026 - 04:53 PM
That’s a wrap
15 Jul 2026 - 03:45 PM
‘ISIS bride’ accused of training with terror fighters
15 Jul 2026 - 03:35 PM
Australian drivers to be slapped with road user charge
15 Jul 2026 - 03:34 PM
PM sets himself impossible task to tame AI and big tech
15 Jul 2026 - 12:45 PM
Sydney Uni grilled over extremist group at anti-Israel campus protests
15 Jul 2026 - 12:07 PM
JENI O’DOWD’: Taylor says he’s at war with One Nation, but the facts say otherwise
15 Jul 2026 - 11:02 AM
Albanese says that his AI agenda will seek to protect creatives
15 Jul 2026 - 10:39 AM
PM admits Australia mitigate all AI issues and cover every risk
15 Jul 2026 - 10:39 AM
Albanese says he’ll convene national cabinet meeting on AI approach
15 Jul 2026 - 10:19 AM
Albanese: ‘This is our time to decide what AI looks like here’
15 Jul 2026 - 09:30 AM
‘You won’t have anyone’: Trump issues warning to Iran
15 Jul 2026 - 09:16 AM
Albo’s AI plan slammed for putting big tech above Aussies
15 Jul 2026 - 08:56 AM
Hume stresses ‘we will be left behind’ if AI wrapped in red tape
15 Jul 2026 - 08:05 AM
‘Tearing itself up’: Hume attacks Labor over union AI veto
15 Jul 2026 - 07:31 AM
Taylor accuses PM of wanting to create ‘more bureaucracy’ with AI plan
15 Jul 2026 - 07:01 AM
‘Three years too late’: Opposition criticises AI Office
15 Jul 2026 - 06:44 AM
‘Degrading Iranian capabilities’: US strikes Iran again
15 Jul 2026 - 06:36 AM
Charlton says AI roadmap will ‘benefit local communities’
15 Jul 2026 - 06:22 AM
Spender backs AI blueprint but says it should have come sooner
15 Jul 2026 - 06:16 AM
‘Lethal and ready’: Blockade begins as deadline lifts
15 Jul 2026 - 05:45 AM
Trump ditches Hormuz levy as blockade restarts
‘Lethal and ready’: Blockade begins as deadline lifts
The 6am AEST deadline set by Donald Trump and reaffirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM) has now passed, meaning the blockade of Iran ships leaving or bound for Iranian ports can be boarded or seized by US military forces.
CENTCOM reiterated the enforcement of the blockade in a post to social media.
“There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East,” it said on X.
“American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready.”
PM eyes tougher AI rules with national framework
The impact of artificial intelligence on society will be compared to the change brought by civil aviation 100 years ago as the prime minister unveils a new framework to deal with the fast-moving technology.
An Office of AI will be formed in the department of prime minister and cabinet, Anthony Albanese will announce in an address on Wednesday.
The new office will help co-ordinate the design of new Australian Standards and to bring together work across the government.
The speech comes in response to concerns surrounding rules governing the use of AI, data centres and protections for Australian intellectual property.
AI company Anthropic has sought clarification over copyright settings, but hasn’t reportedly sought an exemption.
The prime minister’s speech isn’t expected to detail changes to copyright laws.
- with AAP
Trump ditches Hormuz levy as blockade restarts
Donald Trump has abandoned plans to impose a 20 per cent levy on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for trade agreements with Gulf States.
Speaking at the White House, the US President said the decision to reverse the levy followed calls with regional leaders, adding he doesn’t “like the concept of a fee.”
He later said the charge would be replaced by “Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making with the United States” after “highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership.”
Mr Trump also said Gulf investment in the United States would be “massive” but provided no further details.
