Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan has voiced strong concerns regarding the Australian government's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) policy. He stated that artists' copyright must not be "sacrificed" for investment and that environmental concerns should take precedence over the construction of new data centres.
Labor is currently considering changes to copyright law as part of an AI policy suite that also addresses data centres, online safety, energy resources, and economic benefits. McLachlan's comments add weight to potential constitutional challenges, which question whether weakening copyright law could be considered an illegal acquisition of property.
McLachlan emphasised that artists' property rights must be respected and protected, stating, "The works [artists] create must not be sacrificed on the altar of global corporate profiteering." He also highlighted the importance of fair pay, noting that any trade-offs associated with AI opportunities must be clearly articulated.
While both Labor and the Coalition generally support attracting more AI investment and data centres to Australia, the opposition has cautioned against compromising Australian rights holders. The anticipated growth of data centres is expected to increase emissions and power costs for households, drawing criticism from environmental groups.
McLachlan, known for his stance on conservation, asserted, "Datacentres must not be built at the expense of our biodiversity." He advocated for sustainable development of sovereign AI capability, stating, "I choose real forests over virtual ones."