James Griffin
Shadow Minister for Al, Digital and Investment
The Minns Labor Government is scrambling to catch up, finally releasing a policy framework for data centres at a time when there are already billions of dollars in projects in the pipeline.
Shadow Minister for AI, Digital and Investment James Griffin said Labor had been far too slow to plan for the infrastructure demands created by one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
“With more than 60 data centres already operating or being built and $50 billion in the pipeline, this framework is far too long overdue,” Mr Griffin said.
“Labor has been happy to point to data centre investment as one of the very few bright spots propping up the state’s finances but has done very little to manage that growth so far.”
“We support requiring proponents to pay their fair share of the infrastructure they need, rather than leaving households and small businesses to pick up the bill.”
“The bigger test for Labor is whether it can actually deliver the reliable and affordable energy, grid capacity and water infrastructure needed to support this investment.”
Mr Griffin said the NSW Liberals and Nationals recently announced plans for a dedicated Minister for AI, and Labor was right to adopt that policy.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals believe NSW should be leading in the AI space, attracting investment and creating jobs while also ensuring a benefit for the community and that’s what our recently announced policy will achieve.”
“Investors need certainty that projects can connect to power and water and communities need confidence their bills and services will be protected.”
