The stage is set for a fiery meeting of National Cabinet over the federal government’s proposed rules for new AI data centres, with the Northern Territory and Queensland doubling down on their opposition to the plan to require facilities to pursue renewable power.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has vowed to use federal powers to bring states and territories on board with the plan, and this week has poured cold water on the Top End’s plan for gas-powered data centres.
NT Minister for Water Resources and Environment Joshua Burgoyne has accused the Commonwealth of overreach.
“What they are doing is overstepping into our territory and basically telling Territorians what they can and can’t do,” Burgoyne tells Country Hour.
In a statement to AM, Queensland’s Energy Minister David Janetzki says his state will “not force uneconomic investment into the system that will ultimately flow through to higher prices for households and businesses”.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie has urged the federal government to “try and create a unified approach”.
“It is disappointing that Queensland and the Northern Territory have been putting the interests of tech companies over the interests of their own population,” McKenzie tells AM.
National Cabinet is expected to convene within the next few weeks.