SYDNEY, Wednesday 15 July 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has called for an urgent pause on data centre approvals, after Anthony Albanese revealed the government’s AI legislation won't be introduced until 2027.
The PM outlined plans for "greater clarity and speed for approvals" for data centre proponents, but, despite acknowledging the severe strain these facilities place on Australia's land, water, and clean energy resources, will not bring legislation to Parliament until early next year.
Last month, Greenpeace called on the Federal Government to urgently implement a moratorium on the construction and approval of new data centres until appropriate regulations and safeguards are in place to protect the climate and communities.
Joe Rafalowicz, Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said:
“The PM’s speech today shows that this government is kicking the can down the road, while Australians right around the country are calling for urgent regulations on AI data centres that are already being built in their backyard. We shouldn’t be talking about ‘faster decision making’ when there are no laws in place to protect our communities from this dangerous industry.
"We urgently need a moratorium on AI data centre approvals until there are binding rules in place to protect our communities, our climate and our environment. The Prime Minister is rolling out the red carpet for these water-guzzling energy vampires, with no plans to regulate them until at least 2027 — that is a betrayal of Australian communities and our national interest.
“Big tech companies are looking to make Australia their second home, but in the US, AI data centres are wreaking havoc on people's health, drinking water and air by running their data centres on gas. They’ve set their own house on fire, and we shouldn’t be opening the door to let them do that here.
“No new data centres should be approved until there are clearly defined, enforceable regulations in place, including requiring 100% additional renewable energy, that protect people, our climate and our environment - and absolutely no new fossil fuels like gas.”
-ENDS-
Contact details:
Lucy Keller on 0491 135 308 or [email protected]
Kimberley Bernard on 0407 581 404 or [email protected]
