Politics With Michelle Grattan: Ed Husic Urges Brakes On Data Centres 'Swamping' Australia

(MENAFN- The Conversation)

Australia is“going too fast” in building data centres and“been swamped by US tech” expanding here to avoid growing American community opposition, former industry minister Ed Husic has warned.

The outspoken backbencher – who was responsible for the federal government's artificial intelligence (AI) policy until May last year – told The Conversation's Politics podcast it still wasn't clear whether the government's planned national data centre standards on energy and water would apply to centres being built now.

Husic also shared his views on needing to substantially lift Australians' lagging wages, the need for a tougher stance against Israel's actions in Gaza, and his concerns Labor had learnt“the wrong lessons” from the turmoil of the Rudd-Gillard years.

'Data centres vs homes' in Australia

The Albanese government has become increasingly engaged with the emerging AI sector, trying to balance how to ensure adequate guardrails around AI while not locking out crucial investment.

Husic said“while I'm much more relieved about us moving from voluntary to mandatory guard rails or standards on data centres, it's taken us a while to get there” – saying the Albanese government had“waited too long to get to this point”.

Husic said that the race to build more data centres was happening“at a time where we don't have enough construction workers to build the homes we need”, and without enough clarity on the vital power and water supplies they require.

Husic also said it was environmental and economic“lunacy” for states like Queensland to propose using coal and gas to power huge data centres.

Investing in more homegrown AI

Husic wants to see more local investment in Australian AI firms to guarantee we're not entirely reliant on global companies for the technology.

On pushing for higher wages

Husic chairs the House of Representatives' economics committee. He said he wants to challenge the economic orthodoxy that means Australians' real wages had fallen behind rising costs of living over the past five years.

Read more: Real wages have gone backwards. Even earning $100,000 isn't what it used to be

Why voters want to 'kick the system'

Husic said business should be willing to do more to pay higher wages – and ordinary Australians are increasingly frustrated with a system that's been failing them.

Australia's stance on Gaza

Husic is one of only a few Muslim federal members of parliament. On Israel and Gaza, he's not satisfied the federal government has gone anywhere near far enough.

Labor has learned 'the wrong lessons'

Husic said the Rudd-Gillard years had made Labor too reluctant to argue about the big issues facing the country, for the sake of avoiding perceived instability.

*This interview was recorded before news broke about the attack on independent member for Indi, Helen Haines.

MENAFN19102026000199003603ID1111834382