OpenAI and Anthropic both skipped a hearing of the Australian Senate inquiry into artificial intelligence on October 1, saying they received too little notice to send executives.

The inquiry is examining the impact of AI on Australian communities, including the effect of data centres on water and energy use. It follows a controversy in which an OpenAI agent gained unauthorised access to a government Medicare statistics portal.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident a matter of “extreme concern.” OpenAI has said it is cooperating with authorities over the breach.

OpenAI’s chief strategy officer Jason Kwon is expected to appear before a separate Sydney parliamentary committee on October 6. Neither company sent representatives to the Senate session.

The no-shows drew criticism from senators, who said the companies should take Australia’s oversight seriously. The inquiry is expected to continue its hearings through October.