Disquiet grows in Albanese’s back yard as Grayndler artists unite against ‘insane’ AI proposal

The inner west Sydney electorate of Grayndler, long held by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is witnessing growing discontent among its large creative community over proposed changes to copyright laws. These laws would allow AI companies to scrape and use Australian-created works online without permission. The seat of Grayndler, located in Sydney's inner west, is home to over 3,000 cultural and creative businesses, with 10% of its workforce employed in creative fields.

Labor is considering these changes as part of broader reforms surrounding AI, including data centers, energy, and the economy. While Albanese has pledged strong protection for creatives, warning against theft if they are not compensated for their work, there is alarm among the creative industries that the AI companies have requested a weakening of copyright laws.

Some AI companies have suggested an opt-out model, allowing them to scrape content unless a rights holder objects, which has been met with warnings from Coalition senators and the recording industry. The federal government's draft laws are expected by the end of the year, with consideration in parliament due in 2027. Local creatives, such as screenprinter Pete Strong, Greens councillor Pete Strong, and artist Lu Campbell-Smith, are vehemently opposed to the proposal, calling it an "extraction industry mining for profit for the few" and expressing outrage that artists have to opt out to protect their work.

Grayndler has always been a safe Labor seat, and Albanese's popularity has been instrumental in maintaining this, but with polling indicating a disapproval rating of 56% for Albanese, there are signs of potential challenges in the upcoming federal election.