Creatives warn against copyright exemptions for AI companies
Australian authors, musicians, and artists are demanding the Albanese government not water down copyright laws under a potential deal with tech firms that would bring over $50 billion in data centre investment in exchange for a $350 million annual fund for artists. Guardian Australia has learned that an industry proposal presented to cabinet would grant AI companies special exemptions to mine creative content, with the companies bankrolling the artists' fund and committing to data centre investment.
Independent Senator David Pocock described the proposal as the "ultimate dirty deal" and called on the government to categorically rule it out. The government insists it has no plans to weaken copyright protections, but the potential adoption of a text and data mining exemption would reverse its previous stance, which was rejected last year after criticism from artists, authors, and media groups.
Delegation of creatives holds press conference at Parliament House
On Wednesday, a delegation of creatives staged a press conference at Parliament House to urge the government to hold the line. Paul Dempsey, lead singer of Something for Kate, said, "The idea that copyright law should be watered down or chiselled away at to provide a freebie or a handout to gigantic multinational, multi-billion dollar companies to train their AI models makes absolutely no sense to me."
Author Anna Funder described herself as a "victim of crime," noting how big tech had profited from her books. "My books that I’ve lived off for 30 years, have all been hoovered up in many editions, in many countries, in many languages by big tech, broken down for parts and used for them to make money," she said.
Government split on AI and copyright approach
Guardian Australia understands there are divisions within the government on managing AI and creators' rights. Former industry minister Ed Husic had argued for new AI guardrails and major laws, but was dumped from cabinet in 2025. His successor, Tim Ayres, favours a lighter touch. The government rejected Pocock's claims as inaccurate but did not deny the proposal's existence.
Pocock revealed he had been told Anthony Albanese was preparing to announce a plan on or about 15 July, offering expedited approvals and investment for new data centres. Albanese confirmed he would deliver a major speech in July on AI and met with Anthropic representatives last week.
Pocock demands government rule out copyright carve-out
"What cabinet is considering is the ultimate dirty deal, selling out Australian musicians, writers, authors and other creatives in return for an eye-wateringly large investment in AI data centres, which, as we know, are currently wildly unregulated in this country," Pocock said in a speech to parliament on Wednesday. He demanded the government "categorically rule out any carve-out, any exemption, any watering down of copyright exemptions now and into the future."
A spokesperson for Attorney General Michelle Rowland said the government had "repeatedly said that there are no plans to weaken copyright protections when it comes to AI" and is committed to a "fit-for-purpose copyright framework" that protects creative industries while unlocking AI innovation. The government encourages tech giants and creatives to negotiate deals to support innovation while ensuring creators are compensated.
Artists ready to make deals but demand permission and payment
Musician Holly Rankin, known as Jack River, said artists were prepared to negotiate. "To the government we say, ‘don’t back down, do not sign our rights away’, and to big tech we say ‘ask us, get permission, pay us, we are here ready to do deals with you’," she said. Guardian Australia is among the media companies supporting the campaign to safeguard copyright laws.
