Ed Husic warns Australia is expanding data centres too fast
Ed Husic says Australia is building data centres too quickly without adequate planning for power and water.
Former industry minister Ed Husic warned Australia is building data centres too quickly without proper safeguards. Until May last year, he led the government's AI policy.
Husic questioned whether new national standards on energy and water will apply to centres already being built. He raised concerns about water supplies in states like South Australia.
He warned that Queensland's plans to power data centres with coal and gas are environmental lunacy. States are competing to attract data centre investment without considering shared resources like construction workers.
The Albanese government promised mandatory standards, but Husic said it took too long to get there.
- Led federal AI policy until May last year
- Policy role
- Energy and water requirements
- Standards type
Why it mattersUncontrolled data centre expansion threatens water supplies, power stability and Australia's ability to develop its own AI capability rather than relying on US tech.
AustraliaAustralian states racing to attract data centres could face water shortages and power pressure, while local AI companies struggle to compete against US firms relocating here.
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