"Pocock warns Australia risks US-style AI datacentre backlash without long-term return
Independent senator David Pocock has warned Australia risks facing similar social licence issues over AI datacentres as the United States unless it puts in place “some sort of mechanism to get a long-term return”.
The comments come after the federal defence minister, Richard Marles, and industry and innovation minister, Andrew Charlton, met with major US AI companies during a trip to meet their American counterparts.
Speaking on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, Pocock said:
In the US they are facing massive issues when it comes to social licence.
I’m still concerned the government isn’t answering the bigger question: what’s the long-term benefit of hosting these datacentres here?"
Framing: assertive ·
First seen: 2026-09-05 ·
Last seen: 2026-09-05 ·
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