I think that can be ok. If a slow bureaucratic process is created, some metric for how fast the team can perform will take a hit. As the team looks at ways to keep cycle times high, they will automate it.

Or when the manual step itself fails, people realize that an automated test is better and the next post mortem action plan is to automate.

But, you can raise those concerns. They are valid and in many cases I think it's worth the discussion.