Albanese seeks to quell datacentre disquiet as climate expert warns ‘we’ve got one shot to get the rules right’

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese plans to introduce legislation to regulate AI and datacenters to ensure economic benefits are shared across states. This comes amid concerns over the rapid growth of datacenter power consumption and opposition from state governments.
Why it matters
As AI infrastructure demands surge, governments are struggling to balance economic development with energy grid stability and regulatory oversight.
Anthony Albanese will tell national cabinet his government will legislate next year to ensure the benefits of AI and datacentres are shared among states. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Anthony Albanese will tell national cabinet his government will legislate next year to ensure the benefits of AI and datacentres are shared among states. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Australian politics Albanese seeks to quell datacentre disquiet as climate expert warns ‘we’ve got one shot to get the rules right’ Prime minister will use national cabinet meeting to assuage premiers over new AI law as AEMO forecasts seven-fold rise in datacentre power use
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Anthony Albanese will seek to use Wednesday’s high-stakes talks with premiers to quell growing unhappiness about national controls on datacentre developments , promising new approval laws will complement state rules.
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