Australia politics live: renewables and batteries soar but ‘critical’ moment coming; WiseTech staff face AI redundancy

Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature WiseTech’s founder and chair, Richard White wrote to staff late on Sunday evening to allege there had been “personal attacks, vitriol, and deeply offensive behaviour in group chats” regarding the restructure of the software company due to AI. The company did not provide any examples of this when asked on Monday. Multiple staff Guardian Australia spoke to suggest all questions to the executives in the chat have been seeking more information on the redundancies in a professional manner, and argue they’re being attacked for asking questions. White’s email also alleges the chief executive, Zubin Appoo , received a handwritten note “threat of violence... containing personal information and offensive comments directed at members of his family”. A spokesperson for WiseTech said the matter “is under police investigation” and said: WiseTech has zero tolerance for threats of violence, abuse, intimidation, harassment, vitriol or offensive behavior against anyone. Almost 200 WiseTech Australian employees flagged for redundancy due to AI Professionals Australia, the union representing workers at software company WiseTech has told Guardian Australia about 190 staff on the company’s product development and customer service teams have been notified their roles could go as part of the 2,000 cut due to advancements in artificial intelligence. …