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 will use Wednesday's national cabinet meeting to reassure premiers that new national controls on datacentre developments will complement state rules, amid opposition from conservative governments in Queensland and the Northern Territory. The prime minister plans a major piece of legislation next year to ensure the economic benefits of AI are shared widely, as the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts a seven-fold rise in datacentre power use.

Albanese seeks to quell datacentre disquiet as climate expert warns ‘we’ve got one shot to get the rules right’ By Tom McIlroy and Petra StockSource: The Guardian Technology https://www.theguardian.com/us/technology Prime minister will use national cabinet meeting to assuage premiers over new AI law as AEMO forecasts seven-fold rise in datacentre power use Get our breaking news email https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau sfl , free app https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3 or daily news podcast https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau sfl Anthony Albanese will seek to use Wednesday’s high-stakes talks with premiers to quell growing unhappiness about national controls on datacentre developments https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/15/office-of-ai-artificial-intelligence-copyright-australia-government , promising new approval laws will complement state rules. Faced with growing opposition from conservative governments in Queensland and the Northern Territory, Albanese will tell national cabinet he plans a major piece of legislation next year to ensure the economic benefits of AI are shared widely. Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/25/albanese-seeks-to-quell-datacentre-disquiet-as-climate-expert-warns-weve-got-one-shot-to-get-the-rules-right Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.