AI recruited to speed up home approvals in budget set to reshape housing market

Artificial intelligence will be recruited to speed up assessments of housing and energy projects awaiting environmental approval, as the government races to build more homes and ward off a key frustration that is turning voters away from the major parties.

Tuesday’s federal budget will include a $105.9 million commitment over four years to develop an AI tool to guide proponents and share environmental data, helping more projects get approved. A half-billion-dollar package to implement environmental reforms that were passed last year also includes about $250 million to establish the National Environmental Protection Agency.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the AI assistance would bring on more supply, stating that “Our big productivity push is all about getting compliance costs down and cutting red tape, making it easier and faster to build, and making Australia a more attractive place to invest.”

This approach to using AI to solve the housing crisis is likely a measure from Labour in response to being accused of hiding its intentions during the most recent federal election to hit both tax perks. However, reservations towards this approach from Labour remains contentious.