Source: MinterEllison insights

The announcement on 9 September 2026 sets out a proposed AI Action Plan that would establish an Office of AI within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to coordinate AI policy, develop proportionate standards for responsible AI use, prepare a long-term workforce plan with workers, employers, unions and industry, set procurement expectations, and publish a whole-of-government work programme. A senior minister would hold portfolio responsibility for AI. Labour would also create an online safety regulator initially housed in the Department of Internal Affairs (with the option of independent status), whose mandate would extend beyond minimum-age social-media rules to advising government on emerging AI issues and managing risks. The party would expand an AI Expert Advisory Panel including technical and legal experts, small business, unions, the arts and iwi/Māori to report directly to Ministers.

The Plan commits to a copyright framework to enable creators to control and be remunerated for use of their work in AI training, tighter requirements for data centres to secure renewable energy, pay connection costs, reduce peak-grid demand and use water efficiently, and an AI-in-Education team to support schools. Labour says AI should assist but not make decisions about people’s lives alone, would set expectations for human oversight and accountability in the public service, and review how existing privacy, consumer and employment protections apply to AI. Five guiding tests are proposed (sharing gains, workplace voice, meaningful human oversight, resource responsibility, and control over data/creative works). The Plan draws heavily on an Australian framework announced 15 July 2026; it does not set out implementation costs and is presented as the likely direction of AI policy under a Labour-led government. MinterEllisonRuddWatts notes its advisory services in related areas.