Office of AI welcomed by AWG and ACSAA – The Australian Writers’ Guild and the Australian Copyright Society for Audiovisual Authors have welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments on creator rights, copyright and artificial intelligence.
The Prime Minister spoke on Wednesday 15 July 2026. In response, AWG and ACSAA said the speech backed a clear principle. Creators matter to Australia’s future, and the laws that protect them matter as well.
The groups also welcomed the new Office of AI. In addition, they said it can build on current work across government. That includes the Attorney-General’s review of copyright and artificial intelligence.
A copyright opportunity
AWG and ACSAA executive director Claire Pullen said copyright should not slow innovation. Instead, she said it can help create fair markets for Australian creative work.
“Our copyright laws are actually an opportunity to create functioning markets that will add to the billions Australian creative workers generate every year,” Pullen said.
Pullen said Australia can attract strong investment in AI infrastructure. However, she said that investment must respect writers and other creative workers.
According to AWG and ACSAA, technology companies should now take note of the Government’s position. As a result, creator rights, copyright and national sovereignty need to sit inside Australia’s AI policy settings.
Consent, credit and compensation
The organisations said they want to work with the Office of AI and with industry. Their aim is to keep creators in control of their work as new tools enter the market.
They named three core principles for AI policy: consent, credit and compensation. For example, writers should know when companies use their work. They should also receive recognition for that work and payment when it creates value.
The Australian Writers’ Guild represents performance writers across stage, screen, radio, audio and games. Meanwhile, ACSAA collects copyright revenue for screenwriters from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more industry updates, visit TV Central’s Other section. More information is available from the Australian Writers’ Guild and ACSAA.
