DBrief Podcast by Australian Industry Group

Australian Industry Group
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DBrief, the business podcast from Australian Industry Group is for business people with a keen interest in understanding the connection between their individual business operation and the broader issues of Industry Development, Industry Policy and new government regulations. Via an engaging and informal interview format, DBrief will investigate: What is happening in Industry Policy, and what does it mean?Where are these issues going, and what do I need to know?What do I need to think about and learn, in order to stay abreast of- or even ahead of- the emerging issues and developments? By understanding the answers to these questions, business operators can stay ahead of changes and market movements, and be better prepared for Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification in their business and their market sector.The podcast is designed to provide Australian Industry Group members and other business owners with a useful and timely insight into the changes in policy and regulations, and what is means for business.

  1. MAR 6

    What industry wants from South Australia and Victoria in an election year

    In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath speaks with the Australian Industry Group’s state heads, Tim Piper in Victoria and Estha van der Linden in South Australia, to explore what businesses on the ground are really facing as both states head into pivotal 2026 election campaigns. The conversation highlights the pressure created by land tax increases in Victoria, payroll tax design issues in South Australia, and the growing weight of WorkSafe liabilities linked to mental health claims. It also examines the challenges of high evening electricity prices, severe skills shortages and the barriers that prevent smaller firms from taking on degree apprenticeships or accessing facilities to prototype new products. In Victoria, businesses are also concerned about rising gas prices, the risk that declining residential gas use will shift network costs onto industry, and the need for long‑term certainty so gas‑reliant manufacturers are not pushed out of the state. Clear and consistent regulation across all levels of government is essential to reduce the time businesses spend managing overlapping compliance requirements and to allow companies to redirect resources toward productivity, investment and growth.  Key takeaways Businesses want stable and predictable policy settings from state governments to reduce investment risk.Victorian companies are struggling with rapid land tax increases that are not aligned with their productivity or revenue.South Australian firms face a payroll tax bracket design that creates sharp marginal increases for small changes in payroll size.Mental health claims represent a small share of total claims but a large share of WorkSafe costs, which places pressure on employers.Victorian businesses are concerned that rising gas prices and shrinking residential gas use will shift network costs onto industry and threaten the viability of gas‑reliant manufacturers.South Australia’s renewable‑heavy grid creates high evening electricity prices that require better storage and firming solutions.Skills shortages affect businesses of all sizes, with some Victorian factories short hundreds of workers each day.Degree apprenticeships remain out of reach for many SMEs without adjustments to wage costs, university fees and FBT settings.SMEs need accessible facilities to prototype and test innovations without excessive financial risk.Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here.

    32 min

  2. FEB 20

    Inside Australia’s 2026 Industry Outlook: costs, tech investment and regulatory pressure

    In this episode, Louise McGrath and Dr Jeffrey Wilson unpack Australian Industry Group's Australian Industry Outlook for 2026, revealing a landscape where businesses are juggling rising costs, mixed demand expectations, and rapidly evolving technologies. While the extreme uncertainty of recent years has eased, companies remain cautious as they face tighter margins, persistent skills shortages, and escalating compliance obligations. The discussion explores how current pressures are reshaping business decision‑making - from “survival spending” on automation, AI and cyber security, to the difficult trade‑offs between short‑term cost control and long‑term productivity investment. It also examines the growing frustration with tax and regulatory complexity, and the need for more consistent rules across jurisdictions to support a more efficient national economy. The conversation then turns to several expected and unexpected features of Australian Industry Group's 2026-27 pre-budget submission, including tackling the illicit tobacco trade, scrapping nuisance tariffs, designing a fair and enduring road-user charging system, and modernising the National Construction Code to boost housing supply and improve compliance clarity. Key Takeaways Business expectations for 2026 are split, with similar numbers predicting weaker and stronger conditions.Cost pressures continue to rise, but passing those costs through to customers is becoming harder.Technology investment - especially automation, AI and cyber security - is one of the few spending areas still growing.Compliance and tax complexity remain major concerns, with businesses calling for simplified and more consistent systems.Illicit tobacco is costing Australia billions in lost revenue, with implications for public health, crime and the budget.Removing nuisance tariffs would reduce paperwork without affecting revenue or harming local industry.A national approach to road‑user charging is now essential as EV adoption accelerates.Modernising the National Construction Code could help ease Australia’s housing constraints and improve industry productivity.Links:  Australian Industry Outlook for 2026 - 13th Annual Australian Industry Group Leaders Survey - Australian Industry Outlook for 2026Pre-Budget Submission: Federal Budget 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission: Federal Budget 2026-27 | Australian Industry GroupContact the Industry Development & Policy team here.

    33 min

  3. FEB 6

    DBrief Summer Series: starting small, scaling smart — AI lessons from two Australian icons

    In this third Summer Series episode, we spotlight two century‑old Australian manufacturers - InfraBuild and Dux - who are using AI not as hype, but as a practical lever for safety, service coverage, and productivity. From Sharmy Francis, Innovation Manager at InfraBuild, we hear how automating product tagging on 24/7 rolling mills strengthened end‑to‑end traceability, removed ergonomic risks, and created new career pathways - upskilling seasoned operators into robotics and software-enabled roles.From Simon Terry, CEO at Dux, we hear how introducing an AI voice agent bridged hard-to-staff hours (5am–9pm across AU/NZ time zones), improved customer access to support 24/7, and relieved teams from the least desirable shifts - without job losses.Across both stories, the human dimension looms large: open communication with staff, visible executive sponsorship, and responsible AI governance that accelerates adoption rather than slowing it. The call to action is clear: Australian industry cannot afford to sit this one out - go sooner, go harder, start small and safe, and let momentum compound. Key Takeaways Start with a specific problem. Narrow scope (e.g. traceability tagging, 24/7 call coverage) beats broad ambitions. Deliver one outcome, then iterate.Safety + productivity can move together. Automating ergonomically risky tagging tasks improved both operator safety and 100% traceability.Guardrails tame risk. Domain “sandpits,” curated knowledge, human oversight of every call, and continuous training mitigated hallucinations and elevated quality.No jobs lost - better jobs created. AI absorbed unpopular hours and repetitive tasks; organisations invested in new roles (data scientists, data engineers, analysts, supply chain optimisation, robotics operators).Culture is the multiplier. Be transparent with teams, celebrate quick wins, and normalise “fail fast, learn fast”. Executive sponsorship and cross‑functional AI governance keep adoption safe and fast.Data compounds value. The first use case unlocks richer data, revealing adjacent optimisation opportunities across operations and service.Australia needs the tailwind. With rising input costs and a productivity gap, practical AI is a rare lever for competitiveness - industry must act now.Read Australian Industry Group’s report Artificial Intelligence: Positive for companies, their people, and Australian Industry. Note: This recording is from a live event and the audio quality may vary. Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here. Dive deeper into this topic by listening to our previous DBrief episodes Summer Series:  Getting Started: The AI Adoption Challenge for IndustryExecuting AI in complex settings

    35 min

  4. JAN 22

    DBrief Summer Series: Executing AI in complex settings

    In this episode, we spotlight two industries where the stakes couldn’t be higher - healthcare and superannuation - and ask: how do organisations build trust, navigate regulation, and introduce AI responsibly in emotionally sensitive environments? Our panel brings together three leaders implementing AI at scale: Greg Hill, Head of Data Strategy, Analytics and Insights, AustralianSuper, shares how an empathy‑led, consultation‑driven approach is helping uplift AI capability across investment, member, and enterprise teams — without overwhelming staff or compromising trust.Elizabeth Turner, Segment Director for Health & New Zealand, ISS Australia, reveals how her team tackled hospital food waste using computer vision, and why starting with the problem, not the technology, was the key to success.Rita Arrigo, National AI Centre, reflects on responsible AI, cultural fit when choosing vendors, and why visibility across AI projects can spark innovation and reduce duplicated effort.From navigating regulated environments and cybersecurity, to building communities of practice and managing expectations around generative AI, this conversation explores the human, technical, and organisational dynamics needed to implement AI safely and meaningfully. Key Takeaways Start with the problem, not the technology. Both organisations emphasised problem‑definition as the foundation for successful AI adoption.Empathy‑led change management works. Deep consultation, listening, and internal “consulting mindsets” help overcome fears and build genuine buy‑in.Responsible AI requires cultural fit. Choosing vendors aligned with organisational values is as important as technical capability.AI can strengthen (not replace!) human judgment. Communities of practice, executive education, and bottom‑up capability uplift ensure adoption sticks.Regulated environments can enable innovation. Standards like HL7 support safe data sharing while unlocking new clinical and operational insights.Integration is essential for long‑term impact. Interfaces, workflows, and data governance must evolve to embed AI into core operations.Cybers AI is no longer bundled into the “cyber risk” bucket. Instead, leaders now see that AI is critical for defending against the rising volume and sophistication of cyber‑attacks - providing detection, monitoring, and response capabilities that humans alone can’t match.Read Australian Industry Group’s report Artificial Intelligence: Positive for companies, their people, and Australian Industry. Note: This recording is from a live event and the audio quality may vary. Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here. Dive deeper into this topic by listening to our previous DBrief episode Summer Series: Getting Started - The AI Adoption Challenge for Industry.

    28 min

  5. JAN 9

    DBrief Summer Series: Getting Started - The AI Adoption Challenge for Industry

    In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing questions for Australian industry: why is AI adoption still so low, and what will it take to change that? Our panel brings together three unique perspectives: Martin U. Ripple, Group Chief Executive, ANCA - a leader in CNC machines -shares how his company overcame internal resistance and is now pushing the boundaries with virtual employees and workflow innovation.Keith Ritchie, Head of Communications and Government Affairs, Siemens Australia and New Zealand, explains why digitalisation and AI are critical for productivity and decarbonisation - and how accessibility is transforming opportunities for SMEs.John O’Mahony, Partner, Deloitte Access Economics, unpacks new research on the barriers to adoption and the economic dividend Australia could unlock by accelerating AI uptake.From practical steps like hackathons and data cleaning to big-picture policy ideas such as tax incentives, this conversation explores the cultural, technical, and strategic shifts needed to make AI a driver of competitiveness rather than a curiosity. Takeaways Leadership and curiosity are essential to overcoming resistance and building confidence in AI.Data quality - not just structure - is a major barrier for SMEs looking to implement AI successfully.AI adoption is often driven by external suppliers and customer expectations, but long-term success requires clear business strategies.Digitalisation and AI together can unlock productivity, sustainability, and innovation across supply chains.Accessibility of industrial AI tools means SMEs have unprecedented opportunities to compete globally.Policy levers, like targeted tax incentives, could accelerate adoption and deliver significant economic gains.Ethical leadership and strong governance frameworks are critical for safe and effective AI implementation.Read Australian Industry Group’s report Artificial Intelligence: Positive for companies, their people, and Australian Industry. Note: This recording is from a live event and the audio quality may vary.

    34 min

  6. 12/19/2025

    2025 in Review — The big challenges, the shifts underway, and the road ahead

    In this episode, Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox joins us to review Australia’s economic landscape in 2025. He reflects on a year marked by slow growth and persistent inflation, outlining why stronger government action is essential to reignite private sector confidence. We explore the pressures of rising energy costs, the country’s transition to net zero, and the growing role of AI across Australian industry. Innes also examines how businesses are reshaping their workforce strategies, the evolving workplace relations environment, and the regulatory uncertainty influencing investment decisions. It’s a big‑picture conversation about what’s holding the economy back - and what needs to shift for Australia to compete and innovate in 2026 and beyond. Takeaways Inflation remains one of the economy’s most persistent pressures. Strong, clear government action is needed to help restart private‑sector investment and growth. Businesses need greater certainty to manage the transition to net zero effectively. AI is increasingly seen by Australian companies as a tool that enhances - not replaces - jobs. Post‑election workplace relations reforms are creating significant change and increasing compliance demands. Skills and training systems must evolve quickly to keep pace with emerging technologies. The national energy debate will remain central to economic and policy discussions. A productive partnership between government and industry is essential to drive future prosperity. Here are the links mentioned in the podcast episode:  DBrief special episodes & election series: DBrief: Federal Election 2025 Special Episodes Budget position: Federal Budget 2025–26—restart private sector engine Election certainty: We need a clear election result Global outlook: Global forecasts—fragile stability Net zero targets & projections: DCCEEW Emissions Projections 2023; CEFC recapitalisation & 2035 target AI case studies:  Artificial Intelligence: Positive for companies, their people, and Australian IndustryApprentices & employer barriers: Opinion: Employers behind apprentices; Job satisfaction outcomes Wage Review decision: 3.75% increase—Australian Industry Group statement Productivity & wages linkage: Productivity uplifts needed

    47 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    AI at Work - Unlocking Efficiency in Customer Service and Steelmaking

    In our new report, the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Government’s National Artificial Intelligence Centre explore how Australian businesses are embracing and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their daily operations, highlighting how AI benefits companies, their people, and Australian industry. The report covers six diverse companies - two of which join us in this podcast. Discover how Dux revolutionised customer support by deploying an Agentive AI voice-agent system, ensuring hot water issues are resolved quickly—even after hours. Built with strict safety protocols and multilingual capability, it streamlines cases, sends instant diagnostic links, and integrates seamlessly with human teams. The results? Faster response times, 75%+ first-call resolution, higher customer satisfaction, and global interest in a scalable, future-ready solution. We also discuss AI adoption in the domestic steelmaking industry. InfraBuild shares innovative approaches to sustainability and traceability through AI technology, including implementing a bundle tagging machine to enhance product traceability, collaborating with academic institutions for R&D, and upskilling the workforce to adapt to automation. Key Takeaways Effective support is essential for maintaining customer relationships, and after-sales service is crucial for customer satisfaction.AI in customer support can solve the challenge of operating across different time zones.Finding staff for early hours is difficult, and roles can be demanding - AI helps alleviate this pressure.Traceability in steel production is vital for quality assurance, and automation improves safety and efficiency.AI implementation can unlock operational bottlenecks and strengthen customer confidence through robust traceability.AI enhances decision-making, not replaces human workers.Upskilling the workforce is critical for adapting to new technologies.Building a business case for AI involves more than financial returns.Download the full report Artificial Intelligence: Positive for companies, their people, and Australian Industry Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here.

    37 min

  8. 11/20/2025

    COP30 Climate Talks in Brazil: Key Issues and Insights

    In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Tennant Reed discuss the ongoing COP30 conference in Brazil, focusing on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) reform in Australia, the major issues being addressed at COP30, particularly the financial mechanisms for climate action, and the role of industry in achieving sustainability. They also explore Australia's position in global climate leadership and the implications of international decisions on the Australian economy.  Takeaways  The EPBC Act is outdated and needs reform. Streamlining project assessments is crucial for environmental protection. COP30 negotiations navigate significant financial issues related to climate change. Developing countries demand more financial support from developed nations. The choice between natural and engineered solutions (capturing carbon) to bring temperatures back below 1.5°C or accepting a higher temperature overshoot with severe impacts – especially for Pacific nations. The significance of COP30 for Australian industry and how businesses can play a role in decarbonization efforts. Border adjustment mechanisms could open new market opportunities for cleaner industries, but companies must first secure the funding to invest in clean technology. Australia's credibility in climate negotiations is mixed but improving. Contact the Industry Development & Policy team here.

    39 min
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DBrief, the business podcast from Australian Industry Group is for business people with a keen interest in understanding the connection between their individual business operation and the broader issues of Industry Development, Industry Policy and new government regulations. Via an engaging and informal interview format, DBrief will investigate: What is happening in Industry Policy, and what does it mean?Where are these issues going, and what do I need to know?What do I need to think about and learn, in order to stay abreast of- or even ahead of- the emerging issues and developments? By understanding the answers to these questions, business operators can stay ahead of changes and market movements, and be better prepared for Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification in their business and their market sector.The podcast is designed to provide Australian Industry Group members and other business owners with a useful and timely insight into the changes in policy and regulations, and what is means for business.

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