Domestic violence, guns, bird flu and data centres focus of leaders' talks

Australia's national cabinet is set to convene with a packed agenda, dominated by a dispute over energy rules for data centers. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet with premiers and chief ministers in Sydney to tackle issues including artificial intelligence data centers, bird flu outbreaks, domestic violence, and the national gun buyback program.

The federal government's proposal to implement national standards for data centers, mandating that developers source their own renewable energy and address water usage and community contributions, is expected to be the most contentious item. The governments of Queensland and the Northern Territory have voiced strong opposition to these renewables-focused standards, criticizing perceived Commonwealth overreach.

“

The constitution is pretty clear about, if there's a dispute between Commonwealth legislation and state legislation, which legislation prevails.

While the Goods and Services Tax (GST) remains a persistent point of discussion among states, it is not officially on the agenda for this meeting. Multiple state sources indicated that their positions on the current GST deal are well-known. However, agreement is anticipated on advancing the next five-year national plan to end violence against women and children, with calls from the federal crossbench urging further reforms.

Leaders will also receive an update on the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has now spread to all six Australian states, from the chief veterinary officer. Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will provide information on efforts to ensure Australia's fuel security amidst global disruptions. Bowen has dismissed the idea of nuclear reactors powering data centers, calling them the "most expensive form of energy and the longest to deploy," and has asserted the Commonwealth's readiness to legislate over state objections if necessary.

“

The most expensive form of energy and the longest to deploy.