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David Pocock concerned senior Albanese adviser ‘vetted’ bipartisan AI letter that was sent to PM

Anthony Albanese’s office signed off on language in a bipartisan letter from a parliamentary committee considering AI policy before it was sent to the prime minister, a move which committee member David Pocock said was concerning. Notes on the letter to Albanese, seen by Guardian Australia, show a senior adviser made multiple edits and wrote “fine” on some content, appearing to approve lines in the letter before the committee wrote to the prime minister on Monday night. Some edits were made as late as 8:55pm, 35…

By the Truvace desk2 min read1 sourceJournalismTRV-2026-1382· cite & verify
David Pocock concerned senior Albanese adviser ‘vetted’ bipartisan AI letter that was sent to PM

In brief

Notes seen by Guardian Australia show a senior adviser to Anthony Albanese edited and apparently approved wording in a bipartisan parliamentary committee letter on AI policy before it was sent. The letter went to the prime minister on Monday night, minutes after the final edits. Crossbench senator David Pocock gave his own feedback later, unaware it had already gone.

The dispute bears on how far the executive shapes parliamentary scrutiny of AI, a field with open questions on copyright, safeguards and jobs. Committee leaders deny interference and say consulting the government and opposition was normal. The committee's report is due on 30 November, so the effect on its final recommendations is not yet known.

Main points

  1. The letter raises concerns about copyright, AI safeguards, sovereign capability and AI literacy.
  2. Some edits were made as late as 8:55pm, 35 minutes before the chair and deputy chair sent the letter.
  3. Pocock says the letter omits a datacentre levy, retraining for workers displaced by AI, and mandatory screening of genetic synthesis imports.
  4. Chair Jo Briskey and deputy chair Jonno Duniam deny the work was pre-determined or subject to interference.
  5. The prime minister's office declined to comment.

The problem

An independent senator says edits by a prime ministerial adviser and a last-minute sending left no time for changes. He argues this weakens the independence of the AI inquiry and left key concerns out of the letter.

The rundown

According to the notes, the adviser made multiple edits and wrote 'fine' beside some content. The letter was sent by the Labor chair, Jo Briskey, and the Liberal deputy chair, Jonno Duniam, on behalf of Labor, Coalition and crossbench MPs.

Briskey said the committee consulted both Albanese's office and the opposition leader's office. She described the letter as a signal of the committee's direction ahead of its report. Duniam called it an example of parliament working well, with consultation but no guidance or interference.

Pocock said the letter does not capture the breadth of evidence the committee has received. He cited creatives' concerns about copyright changes, a datacentre levy, and retraining workers displaced by AI. He warned the committee risked serving a political purpose instead of providing genuine scrutiny.

Sources

  1. JournalismThe Guardian2026-10-13

The debate