ALNA invited to Federal Government's Roundtable with Small Business on AI in the Workplace

ALNA has been invited as one of just six associations nationally to join the Federal Government's Roundtable with Small Business on AI in the Workplace next week.

ALNA will represent newsagents, lottery retailers and local retailers at a national roundtable on artificial intelligence in the workplace next week, after being selected as one of only six industry associations invited to take part.

The roundtable is chaired by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) in coordination with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). It brings government and small business representatives together to shape how the Government supports small businesses and their workers as AI becomes part of everyday work.

What's being discussed

The discussion will focus on four areas: opportunities to increase AI adoption among small businesses and what has worked in overcoming the challenges; the information and resources that would help small businesses and their workers adopt AI; strategies for supporting small businesses to use AI safely and effectively; and real examples of success.

Why it matters for our members

For most small retailers, AI has arrived faster than the support and guidance on how to use it. Members are already seeing it in their POS and payments systems, supplier platforms, marketing tools and customer enquiries, often without much understanding on how it works or clear advice on what's safe.

ALNA's invitation reflects the growing recognition that community retailers, including newsagents and lottery outlets, are a distinct part of the small business landscape. Our members run lean, time-poor businesses with small teams, handle regulated products, and hold a position of trust in their local communities. Any national approach to AI adoption in small businesses needs to work for businesses like ours, not just for larger firms.

ALNA CEO Ben Kearney said the invitation was an important opportunity to put small business productivity and the practical realities of community retail in front of government.

"Being one of only six associations at this table is a real recognition of the role our members play in their communities and in the small business economy," Mr Kearney said. "AI can save our members hours every week on admin, rostering, stock management and marketing, but only if the tools are affordable, easy to use and safe. Our job is to make sure the Government hears what that looks like from behind the counter."

ALNA brings more than an advocacy perspective to the discussion. The Association is currently restructuring its own technology and operations toward an AI-first model, giving us first-hand experience of both the benefits and the practical hurdles that small organisations face when adopting these tools.

What ALNA will be pushing for

At the roundtable, ALNA will advocate for plain-English, practical resources designed for small retail teams rather than generic guidance; support for training staff so AI helps workers do their jobs better; clear guidance on privacy, data security and fraud risks, particularly for businesses handling payments and regulated products; and recognition of the role industry associations can play in delivering trusted, tailored support to their members.

Have your say

We want to take your experiences into the room. Whether you're already using AI in your business, have tried something that didn't work, or simply don't know where to start, we'd like to hear from you. Tell us what's helped, what's held you back, and what support would make a difference. Please email policy@alna.net.au with your experiences.