How do laws in Australia accommodate changes in technology? A review of Australian legislatures’ ability to incorporate new technologies through regulation

Historical regulatory practice and theory must adapt to new challenges in Australia, including the efficient deployment of emerging technologies to assist in the decarbonisation of the economy. This transition of the economy will require significant public administration. This thesis advocates for a paradigm shift in the Australian regulatory model that utilises a synthesis of historical and contemporary theory to provide a robust legislative framework for emerging technologies in Australia. The framework adopts historical best practice for the regulation of technology, including a model of cooperative federalism between Federal and State governments, as well as incorporating current regulatory best practice, such as resilience and regulatory stewardship.