Albanese Targets 2027 AI Law, Vows Strongest Copyright Protections
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Albanese Targets 2027 AI Law, Vows Strongest Copyright Protections
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Summary
Early 2027 legislation is now the centerpiece of Anthony Albanese’s AI plan, after a national cabinet meeting next month and the creation of a new AI office in his department.
Strong copyright safeguards sit at the heart of the package: Albanese ruled out a text-and-data exemption for AI firms and said using Australian creative work without permission would be "theft."
Datacentres are the other immediate target, with new planning, energy and water guardrails meant to stop large facilities from crowding out housing, straining local grids or lifting household power bills.
Australia still has limited leverage over global AI groups such as Microsoft, Google and OpenAI, leaving the government focused on areas it can control rather than a sweeping AI act some critics wanted.
That narrower approach reflects Labor’s bid to capture AI investment without turning Australia into a mere "data warehouse" for overseas products, while preserving public support for the technology.
Amid a A$21.6B investment standoff, will Australia sacrifice creative rights for AI data centres?
With public trust in AI divided, can policy promises alone tame the power of big tech?
As AI data centres threaten to triple energy use, can Australia's green transition survive the boom?
Guarding the Future: Australia’s 2026 AI Policy Shift and the Struggle for Safe, Fair, and Sovereign Technology
Overview
Amid growing public concern and expert warnings about AI risks, the Albanese government is preparing to introduce new AI guardrails by mid-2026. Civil society groups, including Amnesty International, are calling for swift, rights-based legislation to ensure responsible AI use. A national dataset highlights that those proposing AI changes must prove risks are managed. The government’s evolving policy reflects these concerns, shifting from voluntary guidelines to considering stronger, mandatory protections. This approach shows Australia’s recognition of the urgent need for robust AI governance to address public skepticism and potential algorithmic harms.