2026-09-14
Leading tech CEOs Dario Amodei, Elon Musk and Sam Altman have called for urgent action to slow down the arms race on AI, citing a threat to humanity.
In Question Time today, Senator Hanson-Young asked if the Government would commit to a moratorium on data centre approval and construction or to making upcoming legislation on data centres retrospective. Senator Wong, representing the Prime Minister, failed to answer the question.
Full exchange available here.
Quotes attributable to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens environment and communications spokesperson:
“When the three leading CEOs of AI companies are telling you there’s a problem with the hyper speed of AI, its time for governments to listen.
“Instead, the Albanese Government seems determined to roll out the welcome mat for the construction of dozens and dozens of data centres across Australia.
“New York and Texas have imposed moratoriums on the building of new data centres following fierce backlash from local communities. It’s time for Australia to follow suit.
“With American communities strongly rejecting data centres, Australia is becoming a destination of choice for AI companies because of our lack of regulation.
“Right now, it’s the wild west for cowboy data centre operators, there are no rules. We need to take a pause while we get the settings right.
“The Government has rightly acknowledged the need for a regulatory framework but while they are dragging their feet to bring a bill to the parliament, data centres are popping up all over the country.
“This extractive industry is already taking our energy and water and giving little back to the Australian community.
“Unless we have a moratorium or a commitment that the future laws will be retrospective, it’s a green light to the industry to get in quick and build, build, build before the rules are put in place."