Australia's proposed AI safety bill would force frontier model makers to open up to independent testing

Australia's government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a law that would impose mandatory safety rules on frontier AI companies operating in the country for the first time, targeting the most advanced, highest-risk models under its "AI in Australia's Interests" agenda. A new oversight body will work with the Australian AI Safety Institute to enforce compliance and issue steep penalties, requiring frontier model builders to undergo independent audits, maintain ongoing safety checks, publish safety frameworks, and report security incidents immediately. Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and ministers Tony Burke and Tim Ayres said the government is putting domestic guardrails in place before international negotiations, with more details to follow after consultations conclude.