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MIN READ
A core component of the ASA’s work is advocating for authors and illustrators, whether we’re talking to the industry or voicing creator concerns to government. Read about what we’ve been up to below, and stay tuned to our newsletter for the latest News from the ASA.
In August, ASA CEO Lucy Hayward delivered an address about copyright and AI at a conference hosted by the Chinese International Book Trading Corporation. The conference was an opportunity for Chinese publishers to learn more about the Australian market and to formalise a collaborative agreement with the Australian Publishers Association.
“Australia, like China, has a rich cultural heritage that is worthy of protecting from multinational companies that wish to exploit that heritage for their own profit. We also have an industry worth protecting. There is a sensible pathway forward for generative AI technology – one which respects copyright, honours our creators and publishers and the work they do, and ensures that we can continue telling our national stories, including supporting and maintaining the storytelling traditions our First Nations creators have held for over 65,000 years.” – Lucy Hayward
Books Create Australia and Australia Reads hosted a Parliamentary Friends of Books and Reading event at Parliament House earlier this month to call for a national plan for books and reading.
We were thrilled to be joined by over 30 MPs and Senators, authors Chris Hammer, Robbie Arnott, Larissa Behrendt, and former Australian Children’s Laureate, Sally Rippin, who gave an incredibly moving speech about the importance of reading.
Co-chairs Senator David Pocock and Dr Carina Garland MP also delivered impassioned speeches about why we need to address declining reading rates and better support our local industry.
“I’m really passionate about the issue of literacy, and of making sure we share Australian stories. We know that reading has so many benefits, including for social cohesion – when we read we are really putting ourselves in the shoes of another person, which allows us to gain valuable perspectives,” – Dr Carina Garland MP.
“This is something we can turn around as a country. We are an incredibly wealthy country, and when we turn our minds to something, we can do it,” – Senator David Pocock.
Booksellers were also in attendance on the evening to provide expert recommendations to attendees for their next great Australian read.
We used our time in Canberra to meet with government representatives to discuss a range of issues facing the sector including, Dr Carina Garland MP and Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman MP.
The ASA also met with various government departments including the Office for the Arts, the Office for AI, and the Attorney-General’s Department to raise author and illustrator concerns about the harmful development of generative AI models, the displacement and dilution of creators’ work, and the risks of diminishing our copyright law in favour of Big Tech.
We encourage all members and non-members to contribute to and share our Annual Survey this year, which includes numerous questions about generative AI and licensing. The more responses we receive, the better we are able to advocate for you to government.
Read more about AI in the news this month:
ABC: AI companies could use creators’ work without paying them under leaked government copyright proposal
SMH: ‘Under the bus’: Artists sound alarm on latest AI copyright proposal
The Guardian: British celebrities beat AI companies lobbying to get free use of their work. They have a warning for Australia
