Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
You’ve been actively keeping Tasmanians in the dark about your government’s involvement in AI data centre developments. Last week you said people could find out what’s happening when a DA was lodged. Now information that the Greens forced you to table in parliament shows that your Coordinator-General has six additional AI and data infrastructure developments in the pipeline. These new developments could consume a staggering extra 700 megawatts of Tasmania’s energy, plus water. You’ve been secretly working with these developers behind closed doors for years. Under Greens and community pressure, on Monday you released a draft non-binding statement of expectations, which has no guardrails for the largest-ever resource bonanza in Tasmania’s history. Why are you selling Tasmania’s energy and water resources to AI data centre giants without asking Tasmanians what they want before you’ve even established your own expectations?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question, but reject the colourful language within it, as I often do with your questions, Dr Woodruff.
Dr Woodruff – Seven hundred megawatts, what do you call that?
The SPEAKER – Order, honourable Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – This is an opportunity for Tasmania and you are trying to scare Tasmanians, as is the modus operandi of the Tasmanian Greens.
Dr Woodruff – Well, it is a bit concerning.
The SPEAKER – Order, honourable leader of the Greens. The Premier is just into his response. I ask that he be heard, please.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We understand very clearly that we want to know more about these projects and Tasmanians want to know more about these projects and that’s entirely reasonable. We acknowledge that. It’s also very important to recognise that data centres represent exactly the kind of investment that Tasmania should be attracting – absolutely. This is good growth when it comes to creating skilled jobs and strengthening our economy and our focus, of course, is on getting the balance right. It is important when it comes to creating jobs and investment that we ensure development happens in a way that earns community confidence. We recognise that and expect proponents to be open, transparent and to be strong supporters of our local community as well.
I see this as a huge opportunity for Tasmania and Tasmanians in terms of construction jobs most certainly, but also with the ongoing jobs as well. It highlights the confidence that investors have in Tasmania. If I look at the monthly levels by state trend when it comes to confidence and conditions, Tasmania was the only state of Australia to have confidence in the positive and conditions positive as well, more than any other state of Australia.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order, honourable leader of the Opposition.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Confidence was nine points down in Western Australia, five points up in Tasmania and 17 points up when it comes to the conditions in Tasmania. This is a new era of opportunity for Tasmania. We are coming into that new era of opportunity where the investments that we are making right across Tasmania in different sectors of the economy.
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order. Sorry, Premier, all honourable members in this Chamber, I can’t hear what the Premier’s saying and I’m sure it is making it difficult for Hansard. Can we allow the Premier to finish his response, please? The Greens still have more questions to go.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I will table this very good news for Tasmania, of which Tasmanians should be very proud. It is as a result of not only the policy settings but, most importantly, the opportunity that Tasmanians –
The SPEAKER – The Premier’s time has expired.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – The Premier didn’t answer the question. He referred to a new era. It is a watershed moment for Tasmanians who are waking up to find out you’ve committed and are working towards 1200 megawatts of extra generation being promised without Tasmanians knowing about it. You talked about local communities, but what about all Tasmanians? Where are the protections? Where are the guardrails? Where is a firm statement of expectations?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I thank the honourable member for the question. We are always wanting to attract investment in Tasmania and build confidence. The figures that were released yesterday highlight that the conditions are positive and confidence is up and that’s because –
Dr Woodruff – Because you’re selling us away for nothing.
The SPEAKER – Honourable Leader of the Greens, this is your first warning.
Mr ROCKLIFF – we are entering a new era of opportunity and good growth for Tasmania, which means we can fund those essential services that all members I know support and value. We will always seize on opportunities. When it comes to energy, we’ve actually legislated for doubling our renewable energy capacity, which is why we support investments in Robbins Island wind farm and the west coast. It’s also why we worked so hard to secure a deal with the Commonwealth for Marinus Link, to increase our opportunity of renewable investment.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
