Greens call for a moratorium on the building and approval of data centres in Australia
Greens call for a moratorium on the building and approval of data centres in Australia | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Greens call for a moratorium on the building and approval of data centres in Australia 2026-06-24 Quotes attributable to Senator for SA and Chair of the parliamentary inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres, Sarah Hanson-Young: “The big AI companies are getting their hooks into governments at all levels and we need a pause to allow time for public consultation and proper parliamentary scrutiny.
“We need a moratorium on the building and approval of new data centres in Australia until we get the regulations right. “Today we have seen the SA Malinauskaus Government show they are prepared to sell out South Australia’s clean energy reputation to build more energy sucking data centres. “The SA Government’s announcement is nothing more than greenwashing, talking up renewables without delivering any commitment to power the new data centres with renewable energy.
Their gas mates at Santos are no doubt lining up to ‘bring new energy supply online’ keeping polluting fossil fuels in the system even longer. “We need a real plan to protect our drinking water and precious River Murray. As the driest state on the driest continent we cannot just hand our water over to big tech.
“Meanwhile in Canberra, Industry Minister Tim Ayres failed to rule out doing a deal with AI companies allowing them to have an exception to copyright laws. This would sell out Australian artists and creative industries. “We are sleep walking into an AI crisis.
Until Australia’s laws are up to the task of regulating the big tech bros and their power-hungry data centres, they should not be given the greenlight to drain our power and water. “We failed to regulate the big social media companies and are now seeing the massive harm that they can cause. We cannot make the same mistakes with AI companies.
Governments must regulate this industry. “Power hungry data centres are going to be a massive setback in the country’s renewable energy transition. This will eclipse all the work, particularly done by South Australians, to install rooftop solar and build a grid based almost wholly on renewables.
“Until we have proper regulations for the use of energy and precious water and proper protections for Australian artists and businesses we cannot allow a tech bro free for all. Until the necessary safeguards are in place and Australia’s resources are protected, approval and development must be paused. “Submissions to the Senate inquiry into data centres are currently open.
This inquiry will bring some much needed parliamentary scrutiny to this rapidly growing industry.” Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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