Copyright Agency welcomes PM’s commitment to creative industries in major AI speech
July 16, 2026
Today, the Prime Minister delivered a major speech on artificial intelligence (AI), titled ‘AI in Australia’s interests’.
The Prime Minister outlined a leadership role for Australia on AI in a range of areas. These include resisting pressure from AI developers to change the copyright system to the detriment of people who work in Australia’s creative industry sector.
He announced:
- immediate establishment of an Office of AI within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to accelerate implementation of the Australian Standards on a national level
- introduction of a set of Australian Standards for AI, building on the Data Centre Expectations
On the creative industry sector, he said:
Australian writers, musicians, artists and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work.
No company should use Australian books, music, art or news to build or train AI without the artist’s control.
That includes the artist’s control of the price and value of their work.
Anything less, is theft.
This renewed commitment will be welcome to our members, who remain very concerned about both the use of their works for AI training in other countries by multinational AI companies, and maintaining opportunities to participate in copyright licensing solutions for AI development in Australia.
These solutions include collective licensing arrangements, such as those managed by Copyright Agency, which enable licensees to use the works of very large numbers rightsholders. We are working with members and rightsholders to develop licensing solutions for a range of AI-related uses.
The Prime Minister referred to the Attorney-General’s facilitation of consultations on copyright and artist protections relating to AI training, and we look forward to continuing to work with her office and department.
The Government’s media release outlining key points from the speech is here.