Independent senator David Pocock has accused the Prime Minister’s Office of “heavily” vetting a letter sent to Anthony Albanese from the parliamentary committee on artificial intelligence.The wide-ranging letter called for “robust safeguards to protect Australian data”, tweaks to copyright laws and more investment in data centres.In the digital draft seen by NewsWire, a prime ministerial adviser has directed changes in comments on the document.The changes included rewording parts.“So this is meant to be a letter from the committee but clearly has been heavily vetted by the Prime Minister’s Office,” Senator Pocock told News24 on Tuesday.“I’m concerned that the major parties are working together to potentially get a preconceived outcome rather than actually listening to experts, listening to the community and saying … how do we genuinely work towards this as a country where we are actually preserving our sovereignty, where we’re doing what’s best for Australians over the long term.”Others you may likenewsnewsIndependent senator David Pocock says the Prime Minister’s Office has ‘heavily vetted’ the letter. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki ShortSenator Pocock is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, which was set up to probe whether existing legal frameworks spanning privacy, copyright, consumer protection and cybersecurity are fit for purpose or require reform.It also looks into challenges, including data sovereignty, national security, infrastructure capacity and workforce impacts on jobs and productivity.‘No surprise’Committee chair Jo Briskey and deputy chair Jonathon Duniam held a press conference rejecting any government interference.Ms Briskey said “we’re seeking advice and making sure that this is working across the board”.“There was engagement right across the panel,” the Labor MP said, adding that Senator Duniam “also worked with his side, the opposition”.Senator Duniam echoed Ms Briskey, saying there was “no guidance, no interference”.“I’ll tell you who would be the first person out of the blocks to criticise the government if the prime minister wasn’t showing interest in the committee’s work: it would be me,” Senator Duniam said.Deputy chair Jonathon Duniam has defended the committee’s independence. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye GerardGreens leader David Shoebridge, who was not given a seat on the committee, said he was unsurprised by the revelations.“Labor created, controlled and is running this committee, so it’s no surprise at all that the result reads like Labor’s own talking points,” Senator Shoebridge said.More CoverageJosh Frydenberg ‘very bad for Angus Taylor’s health’Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer and Nathan SchmidteSafety powerless to ‘proactively’ stop execution livestreamJoseph Olbrycht-Palmer“In setting up this committee, it was made clear from the start that the government would not allow me as the Greens AI spokesperson to have a seat.“Hard questions and serious challenges to US big tech was never part of their plan. “Captive committees doing pretend inquiries serve no one but a government ducking for cover.”Read related topics:Anthony Albanese