Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Katie HALL (Footscray) (19:20): (1798) The Premier will be representing Victoria tomorrow at national cabinet, where data centres will be on the agenda. The action I seek is for the Premier to use his seat at the table to advocate for strong and consistent guardrails that put community and the environment first. From the outset, I thank the Premier for listening to me. He understands community concerns in West Footscray and Yarraville. We know that data centres support much of the economic activity in our state. We all have a cloud at home, and I am particularly excited about the opportunities for medical research with AI. I have my own concerns about AI being worker-centred. As Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries, I have concern about the theft of work. We should have sovereign capacity in AI so all of the advantages, such as life-saving medical research, can be harnessed by Australians. I commend the ACTU and the ALP national conference for their work on this area of policy.

Social licence is needed and I believe data centres too should have appropriate guardrails. These could include such things as a requirement to use recycled non-potable water; strict requirements on usage of diesel generators, including emissions offsets or using biodiesel; and developers bringing their own renewable generation and firming and paying for all of the costs of the electricity network augmentations required to enable their connection to the grid. There are alternatives to lithium batteries, and there should be buffers between the industrial land that is used and the residences.

Locally, I do not support the expansion of data centres. I want the real concerns of community addressed. Internationally, jurisdictions and communities are grappling with these challenges and if we cannot form a strong and consistent position nationally, I would like Victoria to take the lead. I know my colleague the member for Williamstown shares my views. I thank the Premier for taking the views of my community with him to national cabinet.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Before I call the minister, member for Footscray, there is a ruling from the Chair that asking for advocacy is not a matter for the adjournment debate. Are you able to reword your action?

Katie HALL: I ask the Premier to take on the issues I have raised with him, and the action I am seeking is for him to speak to those at national cabinet.