Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks for that question, Senator Pocock, which really goes to not just the announcement that I and the assistant minister, Dr Charlton, made the other day but also to the regulatory framework and investment from large proponents for data centres in Australia.

My starting proposition and the government's starting proposition on this is that we want to see not just investment here in Australia but investment that delivers for Australia. That means engaging with and making sure we capture the opportunities of artificial intelligence for the Australian economy in terms of not just data centres and digital infrastructure but also the rest of the technological stack, and the opportunities for Australian businesses and households. We released the National Artificial Intelligence Plan some months ago, and we indicated to the community that we would announce the investment principles, which we've called the expectations, a few weeks ago. We did that.

They go to prioritising our national interest, supporting energy investment, water sustainability, investing in skills and jobs, and strengthening research innovation and local capability. Of course the compliance rubber hits the road in the states, so the engagement with the states on their planning approvals is fundamental to us achieving our objectives here, particularly in terms of electricity. What this plan sets out very clearly is additional net electricity investment in terms of power purchasing agreements that provide for additional electricity in the system— (Time expired)