Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic. Source: AAP/Mick Tsikas. Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation Ed Husic has joined startup leaders in responding to last night’s federal budget, with a general emerging consensus suggesting measures to boost the tech ecosystem are welcome, but could go further. In an initial statement ahead of Labor’s broader response, Husic said he welcomed the investment into Australia’s AI capabilities, noting this is something he has been calling for “for a long time”. However, he added he would reserve his judgement on the scheme until more information is available.