The CPSU has raised urgent concerns about AI eroding fairness in public service recruitment. 

The Community and Public Sector Union has called for strict oversight to prevent AI from undermining the merit principle, a cornerstone of hiring practices.  

CPSU Deputy Secretary Rebecca Fawcett has cited reports of AI tools wrongly assessing candidates, including cases where proven performers were deemed unsuitable. “The merit protection commissioner has noted issues with the application of the merit principle in selection processes involving AI,” she told a parliamentary inquiry, saying that AI-driven filtering is “inappropriate and should not be occurring”.  

CPSU surveys have reportedly found 85 per cent of respondents are uneasy about AI in hiring, with 77 per cent worried it might damage public trust. 

Human rights commissioner Lorraine Finlay recently proposed an AI commissioner to monitor compliance, enforce regulations, and educate the public. 

“An AI commissioner would potentially … balance out the need to ensure human rights principles are front and centre but also recognise the innovations and productivity gains,” she said.  

The government’s interim guidance on AI mandates human oversight, embedding a “human-in-the-loop” principle to ensure accountability. 

Assistant Public Service Minister Patrick Gorman has warned that resisting AI adoption could leave the public sector lagging behind. 

Public sector workers have reported some enthusiasm for AI’s productivity benefits but significant concerns about fairness and privacy.  


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