2026-05-13
The Senate has today established an inquiry into artificial intelligence data centres in Australia, amid growing community concern about the rapid expansion of energy-intensive AI infrastructure and the lack of federal oversight.
The inquiry will examine the environmental, economic and social impacts of AI data centres, including their energy and water consumption, effects on local communities and the regulations that AI currently falls under.
Comments attributable to Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Senator for SA and spokesperson for communications, environment and water:
“Big tech is closing in on Australia and our AI regulations are lagging far behind.
“Every day I am hearing from people who are concerned about the impacts of AI on our environment, water and energy supply.
“Data centres that use massive amounts of energy and water are being proposed all over the country and it's important that we understand what the impacts will be on the energy transition and water supply, including drinking water.
“We cannot repeat the mistakes that were made in failing to regulate the social media platforms before they got too big. Recently, we've seen the Government has been cosying up to global AI companies and trying to lure them to Australia. We need proper transparency and parliamentary scrutiny of the deals being done to ensure that it is the Australian community who benefit most from the expansion of the AI industry here.
“Communities across the country are rightly concerned about the massive growth in this industry in such a short amount of time. This inquiry will be a chance to hear from those who are fighting to protect their land, water, wildlife and biodiversity from being sacrificed to big tech.
“We cannot allow Australia to become a dumping ground for energy-hungry data centres without proper scrutiny or public accountability or consultation, and that’s what this inquiry will provide.”