A parliamentary committee examining artificial intelligence policy sent a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week outlining concerns related to copyright, AI safeguards, sovereign capability, and AI literacy. Documents reviewed by media outlets show that a senior adviser in the prime minister’s office made multiple edits to the letter and provided approval on certain sections before it was transmitted to the prime minister.
Independent senator David Pocock, who serves on the committee, expressed concern about the government’s involvement in vetting the letter’s language. Pocock noted that edits were made by the adviser as late as 8:55pm, just 35 minutes before the letter was sent by the committee chair and deputy chair. Pocock himself provided feedback on the letter at 9:55pm, unaware it had already been delivered to the prime minister. He stated that while he respects multipartisan committee processes, he was troubled by evidence that recommendations had been pre-vetted by the prime minister’s office staff without allowing time for consideration of any proposed changes.
Committee chair Jo Briskey, a Labor MP, defended the consultation process, rejecting suggestions that the committee’s work was predetermined by the government. Briskey confirmed that both the prime minister’s office and the opposition leader’s office had been consulted prior to the letter being sent, describing the approach as seeking advice and ensuring broad coordination across parliament. The letter was intended to signal the committee’s direction ahead of its final report, which is due 30 November.
Liberal senator Jonno Duniam, the committee’s deputy chair, characterized the process as an example of parliament functioning effectively. He stated there had been no guidance or interference with the committee’s work, only discussion and consultation across the panel.
Pocock indicated that the letter failed to adequately capture key evidence presented during the committee’s deliberations, including concerns from creative professionals about copyright protections, proposals for a datacentre levy, and the need for worker retraining programs. He also cited the absence of discussion regarding mandatory screening of genetic synthesis imports. Pocock expressed growing concern that the committee’s work was serving political purposes rather than providing genuine parliamentary scrutiny.
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