Today it's been a very good day in New York. This afternoon, I, together with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of Kenya, the Prime Minister of Spain, we launched the Coalition for Children's Rights and Protection in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. And this is just one of the aspects that the world now is debating. There's recognition that a year ago, when we came to New York following our legislation in 2024, we were leading the world, and indeed now more than 20 nations have joined in. And there's a recognition that social media has had an impact on young people, and there is a need to do something about it. And there's a need as well for us to examine these issues going forward.
JOURNALIST: A few hours ago, the US Embassy released a pretty hostile statement, which regarded the Digital Duty of Care, both in terms of content and timing. I know you've said before we are an independent government, sovereignty, etc. But are you worried about the intent, the US-Australia and the fight they may put up?
PRIME MINISTER: I'll always stand up for Australia's national interest, and the Digital Duty of Care is something that we've foreshadowed for some period of time. It's not about giving government control, it's about giving people back control over what they receive on their devices. Which is why it is framed in that way.
JOURNALIST: You were in the General Assembly listening to Donald Trump this morning's fairly extraordinary speech. What did you make of his very strong comments about not wanting to see further regulation of AI, and will you be calling it superintelligence?
PRIME MINISTER: We listened and we participate respectfully. And I look forward to, immediately after this, in a few minutes, going to the reception held by President Trump. I look forward to engaging with him there. We have put forward a strong position, Australia. I'm proud of what we have done on social media and the fact that the European Union have now announced a major reform as well, joining the more than 20 countries who've taken action - Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, in our own region, New Zealand have now moved. And increasingly there's a recognition that new technology can bring enormous benefits. And artificial intelligence can boost our economy, it can boost productivity, it can advance healthcare in ways that were unimaginable a while ago with breakthroughs. There are a range of advantages, but we need to make sure that humans are in control.
JOURNALIST: Are you disappointed that Donald Trump has so forcefully rejected, though, the need for internationally coordinated safeguards of AI?
PRIME MINISTER: We'll wait to see what comes out of the meeting between President Trump and President Xi. It's good that they're meeting, and it's good that this is on the agenda.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just on the Digital Duty of Care. You've criticised the Coalition for saying it could amount to censorship. The US have raised very similar concerns about the power of the Communications Minister to anoint harms without legislation. Is that a policy that you're willing to move on? And have you felt the way the Trump administration has really trashed your tech agenda this week, has that undermined your efforts to put it front and centre of your agenda here in New York?
PRIME MINISTER: Not at all. What we've just had here at Macquarie is a range of businesses, US investors, wanting to invest in Australia. Wanting to invest in reducing emissions, but importantly as well in economic growth, and they do it. The private sector investment has made an enormous difference, as Shemara said, from Macquarie, 90 per cent of new energy in the United States over the last year has been in renewables. That's something that is happening in Australia. And with regard to the legislation, the fact is that we have released an exposure draft of legislation. We haven't even introduced the legislation before Parliament. We will engage constructively. I find it, I would hope that the whole of Parliament, as I said when we announced the legislation. I hope the whole of the Parliament supports it. This should not be a partisan issue. This is about giving power back to Australians rather than big global tech companies. Thanks very much.
