Jeff Kennett: AI should make governments smaller, more efficient and less costly

Do not be afraid of change, be excited. If we embrace artificial technology we should get smaller, cheaper governments delivering better services to the community.

Well, here we are in the middle of July! Where have the last six months gone?

Some of us are asking where have the last 30 years gone?

The world we live in is changing at an even faster pace than we ever thought possible.

With that, attitudes are changing. For instance, for those under 30 years of age, work-life balance is now a greater priority than anything else.

But many in meaningful jobs have jettisoned the idea that success is measured only by how far one climbs the corporate ladder, or the size of income earnt.

This is also occurring among people 50 years and older.

Individuals are increasingly reassessing their lives, making decisions knowing however long they live, life is short. You can’t blame them.

Many are moving to places in coastal or rural settings to avoid the bustle and cost of suburbia.

Of course, most are still on that seemingly never-ending grind to provide, and what is required to live a full life.

Individuals are increasingly reassessing their lives, making decisions knowing however long they live, life is short.

But be assured that change is occurring, and one asks how prepared are we to accept change and live with change?

Personal satisfaction, quality of life, the environment where we live, and even fun is increasingly important to many.

And in the commercial world, John Lonsdale, the chair of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, has proposed a 10-year term for board directors.

The reason is that it guarantees independence of directors, but indirectly because of the speed of change in the world to stay relevant. But even then, any of these proposed changes will not come into force until 2028.

What does that tell you about APRA? Too slow, too bureaucratic? The world will have changed by 2028.

Governments have long been left behind. Their leadership is behind community and international trends. Show me any government in Australia that has embraced fundamental change.

They continue to increase their number of employees in the face of new emerging technologies, increasingly adopted by the private sector, to stay relevant.

The state government has committed to reducing its workforce by 1200 people. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake

In Victoria, the state government in May committed to reducing its workforce by 1200 people, for budgetary purposes.

Top bureaucrat Helen Silver was appointed to identify where those savings would be applied, and reported back to the government last month.

Now the government has deferred the release of the Silver Report, and its release will be delayed indefinitely. Probably because of union pressure, and not in the pursuit of greater efficiency.

Another example is the arrival of AI. Governments should not be afraid of change but embrace AI.

The impact of AI is that for every group of 10 future employees in administrative jobs, two will be humans and the other eight will be provided by AI services.

That should not frighten people, because AI will provide opportunities in other areas of employment.

Governments therefore could be substantially smaller, more efficient and less costly. And should meet the changing attitudes of our time.

Governments would be able to afford the very best in service delivery – teachers, nurses, emergency service personnel.

Governments should not be afraid to embrace AI.

We need to move to a position where individuals take more responsibility for their own lives, and those we bring into the world.

We should be excited by change.

The suggestion made recently that governments should pay family members for looking after children within their family, is part of the old culture we have allowed to develop where governments are increasingly expected to pay for every aspect of our lives.

And governments continue to practise and reinforce old cultures.

If governments do not rise up to meet the challenge of changes that are already with us, and coming even faster, Australia will become less relevant to the changing world. Sadly, worse for Victoria.

Change is exciting, and it should be embraced, by individuals, families, business and governments.

That is the great challenge for us Victorians. To get with it. To lead, provide inspiration, and reward.

It is time to say farewell to the old world and create a new one, where Victoria again becomes respected for leadership, the place to be, where we are again clearly On the Move.

Where teams of people, led by creative souls, deliver meaningful and positive outcomes.

Where young men and women of all backgrounds create an energy for achievement that simply does not exist today.

In the 90s we used the tools at our disposal then to re right the ship of Victoria. It was an exciting time.

We can do it again with the new tools that are at our disposal, but only if we are excited by, and embrace the challenges of our time.

Mount your horses.

Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria