Sydney artists fight government plan to let AI scrape their work
Artists in the PM's Sydney electorate oppose Labor's plan to let AI firms train on Australian creative works without mandatory payment.
Artists in Anthony Albanese's Sydney electorate of Grayndler are protesting the federal government's proposal to let AI companies scrape Australian creative works. Grayndler has more than 3,000 cultural and creative businesses.
About 10% of its workers are in creative fields, compared to 4.2% nationally. Labor is considering an opt-out model that would allow AI firms to use Australian material unless a creator objects.
Federal draft laws are due by year's end, with parliament to consider them in 2027. Some AI companies say making licensing agreements under existing copyright law would be too difficult.
Local artists warn the creative ecosystem could be damaged and fear Australia is being used as a test market for weaker protections.
- 3,000+
- Creative businesses in Grayndler
- 10%
- Creative workers in Grayndler
- 4.2%
- National creative worker average
- 2027
- Parliament consideration year
Why it mattersIf Australia weakens copyright protections, artists lose control of their work and income while tech firms gain free training data.
AustraliaAustralian creatives face potential loss of earnings and control over their work if the government passes weaker copyright protections favoring AI companies.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
