Calls for an independent audit of Australia's courts have intensified after sensitive court data was accessed in India on at least two occasions. Internal emails show the Federal Court chief executive was notified of a data breach in 2016, but no action was taken. The Federal Court says its chief executive has no recollection of the notification. Former Auscript manager Paul Cutbush raised security concerns in 2014, and the Coalition and Greens are urging the Attorney-General to act.
National Australia Bank plans to cut 2,500 roles by June, about 6 per cent of its workforce, with 1,500 going before Christmas. Staff who spoke anonymously to the ABC accused the bank of a spill and fill strategy, forcing teams to reapply for fewer positions. A leaked workforce plan shows the technology team's Australian-based share falling as staff numbers in India and Vietnam grow. The bank said the cuts would simplify its operating model, with restructuring costs estimated at about $300 million. The Finance Sector Union called the move disgraceful and said it would bring chaos to staff.
Sensitive Australian court transcripts were reportedly sent to India more than a decade ago, according to emails that have only recently come to light. Former Auscript national manager Paul Cutbush says he raised concerns with the federal courts and the Australian Federal Police in December 2014, but no action followed. The family court later described the failure to disclose offshoring as a minor breach. Cutbush said he received no reply for two years, and a 2016 court email said the contract did not expressly bar offshore work, though it did.
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AI infrastructure company Firmus has withdrawn its application to list on the ASX after big investors balked at the price. Questions also arose about its ability to expand rapidly and still deliver promised profits. At a parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence, Westpac, NAB and ANZ outlined how they protect customer data. Westpac's chief AI officer said AI was saving bankers 150,000 annualised hours on mortgage and credit assessments. Senator Tony Sheldon questioned whether AI was linked to offshoring jobs, and ANZ's chief data and AI officer said AI had caused no job losses.
