NT Labor backflips, supports 'hyper-scale' data centre moratorium
The Territory Labor opposition says a moratorium on "hyper-scale" data centres should be imposed until July next year, while a review into them is undertaken.
The Northern Territory Labor opposition has reversed its stance and now supports a moratorium on hyper-scale data centres, pending a review. Despite previously arguing that such a moratorium was unnecessary, Opposition Leader Selena Uibo now calls for such a moratorium until July 1 next year. The call for the moratorium came after an independent MLA, Justine Davis, moved a motion in parliament, following a petition with over 15,000 signatures.
The motion seeks to impose a moratorium while an inquiry assesses the impact of data centres on various factors, including electricity prices, water security, emissions, and land use. The CLP government, however, removed provisions for a moratorium and review from the motion, passing an amendment instead stating that the NT is a signatory to national data centre standards.
This decision has raised concerns among potential investors, with Business Minister Robyn Cahill stating that Labor's position sends a negative message to prospective developers.
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