Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has named Andrew Charlton as the new assistant minister for the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies, positioning a strong advocate for blockchain at the centre of Australia’s tech policy efforts.
Charlton will work in partnership with Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres to guide national strategies on science, technology, and digital advancement.
The appointment was announced at a press conference in Canberra this week, shortly after the government secured re-election.
Leaders in the industry responded positively to the announcement, with Swyftx CEO Jason Titman telling CoinTelegraph that the appointment is “unequivocally good news for crypto in Australia”, noting that the local blockchain sector is fully supportive of the move.
“Andrew has a deep understanding of blockchain, coupled with a genuine belief in its potential to support the Australian economy,” he added.
Charlton has been a proponent of clear and balanced regulation in the cryptocurrency space. In a parliamentary speech last November, he underscored the need for a regulatory framework in Australia that supports innovation while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on growth, Crypto News Australia reports.
Then in March, serving as the Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience, Charlton joined Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones in issuing a joint statement that outlined plans to introduce a licensing regime for crypto platforms.
The forthcoming regulatory framework is designed to align with international standards, such as the EU’s MiCA regulations and Singapore’s Payment Services Act.
Under the proposed regulations, major cryptocurrency companies would need to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence, while smaller firms that do not offer financial products would be exempt.
The government also recognised widespread concerns over debanking and has initiated consultations with major banks to address and prevent discriminatory restrictions on access.
Draft legislation is anticipated later this year, as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) works on issuing updated guidance for digital asset activities.